[Nfbv-announce] Seeking blind mentors for youth program

[Mark W. Roane]

Seeking: Blind Mentors for 2013 LIFE Program

 

Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired ("VRCBVI") is seeking blind mentors for the 2013 Life Program.

 

Are you looking for a job this summer? Are you a blind college student or young blind professional who is enthusiastic and confident in your blindness skills who wants to give back while inspiring up and coming blind youth? Do you want to work with blind youth to help them reach their full potential and encourage them to have high expectations for themselves?  If the answer to these questions is a resounding YES, then the VRCBVI LIFE program needs you to work as a mentor! 

 

Learning Independence, Feeling Empowered ("LIFE") is a four week residential summer program for high school age blind and vision impaired youth who want to learn the skills of blindness, develop a positive attitude about blindness, and have fun while getting to know their blind peers from across the state. 

 

VRCBVI is recruiting for three mentors who will work alongside our instructional staff in the areas of Braille, Personal and Home Management, Access Technology, and during after-hours confidence building activities.  If you are enthusiastic about giving back to the next generation of blind and vision impaired youth and you want to have fun while working, then being a mentor in the 2013 LIFE Program is the place for you. 

 

Dates of the LIFE Program: July 7 - August 2, 2013 

Where: On the campus of VRCBVI in Richmond VA 

Hours: 40 hours a week which includes some evenings and weekends 

Dates of employment for mentors: July 3 - August 3, 2013 

 

Requirements for mentors: 

 

·        Excellent blindness skills - Braille, ability to travel independently using a long White cane or guide dog, experience with non-visual Access Technology, etc.

·        Maturity - ability to remain professional at all times

·        A level head, sense of humor, and enthusiastic sense of adventure.

·        Mentors will live in the dorm apartments on the VRCBVI campus

 

How to Apply:

·        Submit the following by mail to Amy Phelps, 401 Azalea Ave, Richmond VA, 23227 or by email to amy.phelps at dbvi.virginia.gov 

o       Cover letter

o       Resume

o       Three professional references 

o       500 word essay explaining why you would be the best candidate for the position and the role mentoring has played in your success

 

·        Deadline for application: All items must be received by not later than May 31, 2013.