[Youth-outreach] State and Regional Youth SLAMS`

Tue Aug 11 14:08:32 UTC 2009

Hi all,
	I've  been  following all the comments about this particular
thread.  I think some great points have been made.  Regional NFB Youth
Slams, or just youth programs in general is something we've talked about
doing before.  It would require a great deal of time, resources, funds,
and manpower than we have available to us in some ways, but definitely
could be exciting.  All the programs of the NFB Jernigan Institute are
designed with the hope that they will serve as a model for states to use
in creating their own local programs.  While states do not have access
to some of the resources the Institute does, there are still a number of
advantages, as some of you have pointed out, to states organizing their
own programs.  
	Our youth outreach efforts over the past few years have aimed to
help provide states with resources we've created or lessons we've
learned to aid them in organizing their own programs.  A handful of
states have created their own version of one of our programs and used us
as a support to do so, but it would be great to see more do this.  Our
plans for the next year are to continue to "package" some of these
programs we've run in manageable ways which states can use to organize
their own programs--essentially a program in a box.  It would be
interesting to hear some feedback from those of you on this list as to
whether or not this would be useful.  We've had these kind of things
available for the past few years now, and shared a number of things
during youth outreach seminars we've held, but it still seems like its
an untapped resource.  It would be great to see more states take up the
challenge to do programs on their local level whether it be a science
academy, career fair, or even a mini youth slam.  
Thanks for the feedback! 
Mary Jo 
Mary Jo Thorpe-Hartle

Mary Jo Thorpe-Hartle, MEd, NOMC

Education Program Manager 

Jernigan Institute 
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND 
1800 Johnson St.
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: (410)659-9314 ext. 2407
Email: MTHORPE at nfb.org 
Visit www.nfb.org  

Don't miss all the action of the 2009  NFB YOUTH SLAM! Learn more at
www.blindscience.org .. 

-----Original Message-----
From: youth-outreach-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:youth-outreach-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aziza C
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 5:55 PM
To: Youth outreach projects Support List
Subject: Re: [Youth-outreach] State and Regional Youth SLAMS`

Nice suggestions Petter. I agree, sometimes smaller closer events are
better places to start, especially for families new to the NFB with
parents on the over-protective side. Shorter and closer to home events
might appeal to those parents more, which can increase their confidence
later when it comes to longer and farther events for their kids. When
dealing with youth, we are not only teaching them and building their
confidence, we have parents and family to teach as well, sometimes I
think that is forgotten.
Aziza

On 8/10/09, Peter Donahue <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Hello Mary Joe and listers,
>
>     Will efforts be made to host state or regional Youth SLAMS in 
> order to expose a greater number of blind youth to the NFB and our 
> philosophy and to bring this dynamic event "Closer to home" for these 
> kids? Will you be designing "How-to" information packs for states 
> wishing to host such an event in their state or in a particular part 
> of the country? Just some food for thought.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Thorpe, Mary Jo" <MThorpe at nfb.org>
> To: <state_youth_coordinators at nfbnet.org>; "Youth outreach projects 
> Support List" <youth-outreach at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "Zakhnini, Karen" <KZakhnini at nfb.org>; "Thorpe, Mary Jo"
> <MThorpe at nfb.org>
> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 10:37 AM
> Subject: [Youth-outreach] Now the NFB Youth Slam is over....
>
>
> HI all,
>     Well, the second NFB Youth Slam has come and gone with a lot of 
> exciting memories made and lessons learned.  Most importantly though, 
> a brand new batch of youth were introduced to our organization and 
> unique philosophy on blindness.  Thanks to all of you again who helped

> recruit this summer's great group.  But, don't forget, we still need 
> all of your help to keep them engaged in our cause.
>     Back in May, a member from our team sent contact information to 
> respective state presidents for youth who had applied and/or were 
> accepted to the NFB Youth Slam.  We hope that you will all take 
> advantage of this opportunity to follow up with these youth and get 
> them engaged in your affiliates.  If you need this information again, 
> please contact Becca Cordell at bcordell at nfb.org or at 410-659-9314 
> ext. 2312 to have this info re-sent to you.
>     We had some of the brightest, exciting young people at this event 
> and know they can make great contributions to our organization.  Here 
> are a few suggestions how you as a state affiliate can start getting 
> them involved:
>
> *Invite NFB Youth Slam participants to speak at your next state 
> convention about their experience in the program
>
> *Have the chapter president from the youth's area contact them and 
> invite them to attend the next chapter meeting
>
> *Pair the NFB Youth Slam participant(s)  up with positive mentors in 
> your state
>
> *Ask your state's student division to contact these youth and invite 
> them to student activities
>
> *Invite the NFB Youth Slam participant(s) to write up something about 
> his/her experience for your affiliate's newsletter or website
>
> *If your state has a transition club, Jr. NFB chapter, or some other 
> kind of youth program, invite NFB Youth Slam participants to join if 
> they are not already a part of this program.
>
> If you have other ideas to share with these lists, please feel free to

> do so.  We would love to hear what you all are doing to help involve 
> these youth in your states.  If you have any questions, please feel 
> free to contact me.
>
>     On one last note, there are some great postings and podcasts from 
> the NFB Youth Slam participants available at www.blindscience.org.  I 
> encourage you all to check them out and share them with those you
know!
> It's exciting to see how our work is making a difference.
> Best of luck!!!
>
> Sincerely,
> Mary Jo Thorpe-Hartle
>
>
>
> Mary Jo Thorpe-Hartle, MEd, NOMC
>
> Education Program Manager
>
> Jernigan Institute
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
> 1800 Johnson St.
> Baltimore, MD 21230
> Phone: (410)659-9314 ext. 2407
> Email: MTHORPE at nfb.org <mailto:MTHORPE at nfb.org> Visit www.nfb.org 
> <http://www.nfb.org/>
>
>
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