<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">Hey hey hey NABSters!<div><br></div><div>Are you looking for something to keep you busy over the summer? Does exploring career paths or gaining employment skills sound up your alley? Or maybe you need some cash and always dreamt about spending some time in Baltimore, Maryland? </div><div><br></div><div>Whoever you are, whatever your background, check out the below opportunities at BISM! There’s something for everyone!</div><div><br></div><div>Happy applying! </div><div><br></div><div>Best</div><div>Manahil </div><div><div dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-6182fc9c-7fff-e375-8fb3-d8499796d24e"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Manahil Jafri</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She/Hers/Her</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1st Vice President | National Federation of the Blind</span></p></div><div dir="ltr"><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> Juhi Narula <jnarula@bism.org><br><b>Date:</b> February 10, 2025 at 11:16:52 AM EST<br><b>To:</b> nabs.president@gmail.com, Manahil Jafri <manahiljafri@gmail.com>, "Jackson, Delores Nikki" <njackson@nfb.org>, Ronza Othman <rothmanjd@gmail.com>, president@nfbmd.org, LASHAWN MYLES -MSL- <lashawn.myles@maryland.gov>, Emory Russo <emoryr@mdschblind.org>, Paige Bradford -MSDE- <paige.bradford@maryland.gov>, Karen' <kanderson@nfb.org>, eileen.r.ley@gmail.com, Bridges Help Desk <helpdesk@imagemd.org>, Christopher Nusbaum <cnusbaum@imagemd.org>, "Dr. Sabrina Taylor" <staylor@benefitsunderstood.com><br><b>Cc:</b> Emma Meyer <emeyer@bism.org>, Hunter Kuester <hkuester@bism.org>, Qualik Ford <qford@bism.org><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>BISM Youth Summer Programs Information to Spread</b><br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hi All!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BISM will be running 2 summer programs this year: STAR and Gold STAR! We are currently gauging student interest and looking for staff for both programs. I would really appreciate it if you all could pass along the following announcements
to your contacts and network to spread the word. There is a lot of information below, so feel free to pick and choose what info you want to pass along based on your reach and clientele. Thank you, and reach out with any questions!
<span style="font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">😊</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h1>STAR 2025 Summer Program<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>STAR Student Interest Announcement <o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have you ever been told certain career paths are off limits for you due to your blindness? Have you ever rejected certain occupations because you believed you wouldn't be able to do it? The STAR Program is here to show you that there are
several professions blind people can do successfully and independently even though we are told it is "unreachable."<br>
<br>
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is excited to continue the STAR (Students Training in Advocacy and Responsibility) Program! This 4-week, fully residential program exposes participants to a new industry each week, exploring the career options
within the industry, attending job site tours, and completing real-life tasks and activities in that profession. The industries covered during the 2025 STAR Program are Healthcare, Engineering, Government & Law, and Sales & Marketing. We will also be traveling
throughout the City of Baltimore, Washington DC, and New Orleans, Louisiana.<br>
<br>
Program Dates: June 22 to July 18 (including weekends)<br>
Ages eligible: 14 to 21<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you are interested in attending this program, please complete the
<a href="https://forms.gle/H6TB5H8hm6HfjVPr8">STAR 2025 Interest Form here</a>. <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With any questions or concerns, reach out to Juhi Narula at <a href="mailto:JNarula@BISM.org">
JNarula@BISM.org</a> or Emma Meyer at <a href="mailto:EMeyer@BISM.org">EMeyer@BISM.org</a>.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>STAR Staff Application Announcement <o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BISM STAR Summer Program Staffing Position Open! Deadline: March 28, 2025.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BISM is excited to continue the STAR Program!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The STAR (Students Training in Advocacy and Responsibility) Program is a 4-week, fully residential program that aids blind and low vision students in developing a true understanding of the career choices available to them. Through an experiential
learning approach, we will be exposing students to a new industry each week, exploring the career options within the industry, attending job site tours, and completing real-life tasks and activities in that profession. The industries covered during the program
are Healthcare, Engineering, Government and Law, and Sales and Marketing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a STAR Program Staffer, your role will be to serve as an instructor, leader, and mentor to the students. Applications should be submitted by April 1, 2024. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom and are anticipated to take place in mid-April. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All offers of employment will be contingent upon a successful comprehensive background check.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Program location: Baltimore, Maryland (you do not need to reside in Maryland to apply as a staffer)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Program Dates: June 22-July 18th, 2025<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Staff Training Dates: June 16-June 21st, 2025<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pay for 4-week staffing: $3,000 to $3,500<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You can find the position responsibilities and additional details in
<a href="https://forms.gle/UdtpnG9MTopVypVWA">the application link here</a>. <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With any questions or concerns, reach out to Juhi Narula at <a href="mailto:JNarula@BISM.org">
JNarula@BISM.org</a> or Emma Meyer at <a href="mailto:EMeyer@BISM.org">EMeyer@BISM.org</a>.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></u></p>
<h1>Gold STAR 2025 Summer Program<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Gold STAR Student Interest Announcement <o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have you ever wanted to gain experience in the working world before formally entering it? Or wished you could get paid for learning instead of the other way around?<br>
<br>
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is excited to continue the Gold STAR Program! This fully residential program will provide participants with a 4-week Work Based Learning Experience. Students will reside in apartment style housing with their
peers while working in a professional environment and receiving job readiness skills training from competent Blind professionals.<br>
<br>
This work experience will provide you as a student with a first-hand perspective of professional environments and the responsibilities that come with a career. Additionally, the job readiness skills (i.e. Professionalism, Technology, Self-Advocacy, and Independent
Living) will help you learn how to become independent while maintaining a job.<br>
<br>
Program Dates: July 13 to August 8, 2025 (including weekends)<br>
Ages Eligible: 16 to 21<br>
Location: Baltimore, MD<br>
<br>
If you are interested in attending this program, please complete the <a href="https://forms.gle/sgFnTiPkf2segmyQ9">
Gold STAR 2025 Interest Form here</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With any questions or concerns, reach out to Juhi Narula at <a href="mailto:JNarula@BISM.org">
JNarula@BISM.org</a> or Emma Meyer at <a href="mailto:EMeyer@BISM.org">EMeyer@BISM.org</a>.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Gold STAR Staff Application Announcement <o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BISM Gold STAR Summer Program Staffing Position Open!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BISM is excited to continue the Gold STAR Program!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This 4- week, fully residential program aims to prepare participants to enter the work force and gain hands on skills and experience. Students reside in apartment style housing with their Blind peers while working in a professional environment
and receiving job readiness skills training from competent Blind professionals. The work experience provides students with a first-hand perspective of professional environments and the responsibilities that come with a career. The job readiness skills (i.e.
resume and cover letter writing, handshakes, elevator pitches, self-advocacy, etc.) introduce the students to a roadmap for professionalism and independence.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a Gold STAR Program Staffer, your role will be to serve as an instructor, leader, and mentor to the students. Applications should be submitted by April 1, 2024. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom and are anticipated to take place
in mid-April. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All offers of employment will be contingent upon a successful comprehensive background check.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Program location: Baltimore, Maryland (you do not need to reside in Maryland to apply as a staffer)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Program Dates: July 13th-August 8th, 2025 (including weekends)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Staff Training Dates: June 30-July 6th, 2025<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">NOTE: Staff will be required to arrive to the program location on July 11, 2025<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pay for 4-week staffing: $3,000 to $3,500<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You can find the position responsibilities and additional details in
<a href="https://forms.gle/UdtpnG9MTopVypVWA">the application link here</a>. <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With any questions or concerns, reach out to Juhi Narula at <a href="mailto:JNarula@BISM.org">
JNarula@BISM.org</a> or Emma Meyer at <a href="mailto:EMeyer@BISM.org">EMeyer@BISM.org</a>.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With warm regards, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Juhi<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Brush Script MT"">Juhi Narula<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Youth Transitions Program Manager<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blind Industries and Services of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">410-737-2642<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
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