[Nfbv-announce] Project RISE: Are You a Mentor?

[Sarah Patnaude]

>From Kathryn Webster

Program Coordinator, Project RISE




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

Please send your resume to Tracy Soforenko (tracy.soforenko at gmail.com) and Sandy Halverson (sjh300 at outlook.com) by Sunday!

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.

Please note: mentors and volunteers must be available on the below dates:

February 11: 2-5pm mentor training

February 17: 10am-3pm session1

March 17: 10am-3pm session2

April 7: 10am-3pm session3

May 12: 10am-3pm session4

June 7-9: final session in Baltimore at our headquarters!

 

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 February 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 group (3-5) of students
   - Follow up with students in between events via phone and email
   - Assist in giving feedback to students on their writing assignments and guidance on reading assignments
   - Complete any other duties as assigned by program 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 to Tracy Soforenko (tracy.soforenko at gmail.com) and Sandy Halverson (sjh300 at outlook.com) by January 21, 2018. Interviews will be coordinated dependent on your qualifications and experience. We are excited to implement this pilot program, and hope you are, too!

 

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

Best,

Kathryn Webster

(203) 273-8463

Rise.nfbv.org