[Nfbv-announce] Project RISE Seeking Mentors for 2018-2019 Academic Year

[Tracy Soforenko]

Project RISE


Resilience, Independence, Self-Advocacy, Employment


National Federation of the Blind of Virginia (NFBV)


 

We are seeking ambitious, independent, confident, and experienced mentors
who possess positive blindness philosophy to serve as core mentors for the
2018-19 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 14-21, the skills and confidence they need to
be successful. This program has the potential of changing the future of
blind students. Project RISE will host a 10-month program in Northern
Virginia and a routine program throughout the year across the Commonwealth.

Throughout the program, students will meet one Saturday a month for five
hours, participating in workshops designed to make them more competitive in
the job market. Some topic areas include: travel and transportation,
wellness and fitness, cultural excursions, 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 September to
April, with the last program session as a weekend spent at the National
Federation of the Blind national center during the month of May. 

 


Mentor Responsibilities


Approximate Time commitment: 10 hrs a month - 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 (3-5) of students
*	Attend all sessions throughout the 9-month time
*	Submit, to the coordinators,  monthly individual student reports to
track progress, measure improvement, and present recommendations
*	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 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 August 15, 2018. Interviews will be
coordinated dependent on your qualifications and experience. We are excited
to continue this 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> 

www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org> 

www.nfbv.org <http://www.nfbv.org> 

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who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want.