[Nfbv-announce] Apply to serve as a Project RISE core mentor by October 15

[Tracy Soforenko]

Project RISE


Resilience, Independence, Self-Advocacy, Employment


National Federation of the Blind of Virginia (NFBV)


 

This serves as a final call for those interested in applying for the core
mentor position.

We are seeking ambitious, independent, confident, and experienced mentors
who possess positive blindness philosophy to serve as core mentors for the
2018 Project RISE! Below, you will find a program description, as well as
core mentor responsibilities.

 


Program Description


Project RISE, (Resilience, Independence, Self-Advocacy, Employment) is a
transition program, focusing on providing blind and low vision students with
the skills necessary to become competitively employed. These skills will be
useful whether the students attend an institution of higher education, a
vocational school, or enter the job market directly after high school.
Project RISE will combine the knowledge of successful blind professionals,
the positive philosophy of the NFB, and a strong curriculum to give blind
students, between the ages of 14-22, the skills and confidence they need to
be successful. This program has the potential of changing the future of
blind students. During this pilot year, Project RISE will be coordinated in
northern Virginia.

Throughout the six months, students will meet one Saturday a month, for
about five hours, participating in workshops designed to make them more
competitive in the job market. Some topic areas include: travel and
transportation, independent daily living skills, communication and interview
techniques, and dressing appropriately for job settings. Throughout Project
RISE, students will have access to successful blind mentors. Finally,
students will have some kind of work experience during the summer months.
The Saturday programs will run from January to May, with the last program
session as a weekend spent at the National Federation of the Blind national
center during the month of June. 

 


Mentor Responsibilities


Approximate Time commitment: 5 Hours a month for events, 1.5 hours a week in
addition to monthly events

*	 Serve as point of contact for a small group of students
*	Follow up with students in between events
*	Assist in giving feedback to students on their writing assignments
*	Complete any other duties as assigned by coordinator

 


Requirements for Personnel Contractors


All those contracted to provide services are required to go through a
background check, performed by the state of Virginia.

All mentors must be able and willing to commute to the northern Virginia
area for all program trainings, events, and meetings.

If awarded a contract, individuals will be providing services subject to the
terms outlined in the independent contract.

 


Next Steps


If interested, send a resume and cover letter to Tracy Soforenko, President
of the national Federation of the Blind of Virginia,
tracy.soforenko at gmail.com <mailto:tracy.soforenko at gmail.com>  by October 15,
2017. Interviews will be coordinated dependent on your qualifications and
experience. We are excited to implement this pilot program, and hope you
are, too!

 

 

Tracy Soforenko

President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

202 285-4595

Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com <mailto:Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com>