[Nfbv-announce] We All Have the Ability to Be A Powerful Mentor, So Why Not?

[Tracy Soforenko]

A Message from Kathryn Webster, Project RISE Program Coordinator:

 

Good morning Virginia family,

 

As our third year of RISE is knee-deep in preparation, we are seeking
ambitious, independent, confident, and experienced mentors who possess
positive blindness philosophy to serve as core mentors for the 2019-20
academic year! Below, you will find a program description, as well as
expectations and responsibilities. Deadline is July 15, so please consider
this great opportunity to give back! 

 


Mentor Responsibilities


Northern Virginia Mentor Time commitment: 10 hrs a month - 5 Hours a month
for events, 1.5 hours a week in addition to monthly events

Statewide Mentor Time commitment: 10 hrs a month (with more time committed
for weekend programming and less during off-months)

*	Directly report to the program coordinator, including concerns,
challenges, staffing issues, and other relevant information 
*	Serve on a collaborative team of mentors and coordinators
*	Serve as point of contact for a small group (3-5) of students
*	Attend all sessions throughout the academic year
*	Northern Virginia Mentors - Mostly the first Saturday of every month
(September - April, excluding January), in addition to the weekends of
August 16, November 1, February 7, and a weekend in May
*	Statewide Mentors - Weekends of August 16, November 1, February 7,
and a weekend in May
*	Submit, to the coordinators,  monthly individual student reports to
track progress, measure improvement, and present recommendations within one
week of the session
*	Follow-up with assigned students in between events and assist in
giving feedback to students on their writing 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.

If awarded a contract, individuals will be providing services subject to the
terms outlined in the independent contract provided to you by the program
coordinator.

 


Next Steps


If interested, send a letter of interest to Kathryn Webster, Program
Coordinator, at rise at nfbv.org <mailto:rise at nfbv.org>  by Monday, July 15,
2019. Interviews will be coordinated dependent on your qualifications and
experience. Mentor training will take place in early August dependent on the
group's schedule and availability.

 


About Project RISE


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 combines 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 changes the future of blind students across our
state. Project RISE conducts a 10-month program in Northern Virginia and a
quarterly program for qualified statewide students.

Throughout the program, Northern Virginia students 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 have
access to successful blind mentors. Finally, students receive some kind of
work experience during the summer months. The Saturday programs will run
from September to April, with the first and last program sessions as
weekends in August and May involving students across the nation. 

 

Let's energize our youth!

Kathryn Webster

Program Coordinator | Project RISE