June 13, 2008- This summer the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) will offer 10 programs for youth who are blind or visually impaired, all designed to provide opportunities to prepare for independence and the transition into postsecondary education or employment:
Detroit Summer Youth Program, June 12 - August 15, focuses on activities for transitioning after high school graduation into postsecondary education or employment. This is a collaborative venture between the Michigan Commission for the Blind, Detroit Public Schools, and Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA). The program is open to blind and visually impaired high school youth age 14-26, who will have the opportunity to gain actual work experience in a variety of agencies and organizations throughout the area. The program also provides some technical training, daily living activities, and recreational experiences. For more information, contact Shawnese Laury-Johnson (MCB) or Euan Singleton (MCB) at (313) 456-1646.
Summer in the City, June 16-26, in Grand Rapids, is a two-week program for MCB clients age 14-21 and in high school featuring high-school-to-career transition activities emphasizing daily living skills and employment skill development. The program is sponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind and the Kent and Ottawa Area intermediate school districts. The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Grand Rapids will provide the skills training. For more information, contact Pat Angerman (MCB) at (616) 356-0180.
Macomb Intermediate School District Summer Fest 2008, June 16-27, in Clinton Township is for blind and visually impaired students age 14-18. This program will focus on topics from the Expanded Core Curriculum for Students with Visual Impairments, including independent living skills, community-based experiences, activities of daily living, recreation and leisure, obtaining information about community resources, and more, to promote independence. During this camp, the students will be utilizing Macomb Academy's apartment at Lakeside Terrace in Sterling Heights to provide students with the opportunity to learn and practice adaptive daily living skills in a home-like environment. For more information, contact Curtis Simpson (MCB) at (313) 456-1658.
MCB Business Enterprise Program Summer Employment, June 16 through August 15, is an eight-week food service and vending internship in MCB's Business Enterprise Program for blind and visually impaired youth ages 15-22. Participants work 20-30 hours per week at $7.15 per hour through June 30, and $7.40 per hour beginning July 1. The June 16 through August 15 timeline is flexible. For more information, contact Lucy Edmonds (MCB) at 517 373-3459.
Summer Employment Excursion (SEE), June 20 - August 22, is an eight-week program that provides blind and visually impaired students with the opportunity to explore career possibilities, develop resumes, work with mentors in the community who have disabilities, discuss adult daily living skills, improve socialization skills, job-shadow, and gain valuable work experience. This program is sponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind and the Genesee Intermediate School District. For more information, contact Debbie Wilson (MCB) at (810) 760-2030.
Career Club, June 24-27, July 15-17, & August 19-21, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., is for blind and visually impaired youth in Eaton and Ingham counties. Participants will explore careers, learn about their individual strengths and interests, work on team-building skills, develop a career plan, discuss work skills and ethics, practice interviewing, complete a job application, develop job-seeking skills, and have fun. This program is sponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind, Eaton and Ingham intermediate school districts, and Peckham, Inc. An end-of-the-year celebration is scheduled for August 26, from 3:00 to 5:00. For more information, contact Nichole Ellwanger (Peckham) at (517) 541-8851.
MCB 2008 College Preparatory Program at Western Michigan University, June 26 - August 15, in Kalamazoo, is for blind and visually impaired high school juniors and seniors, as well as anyone else who is blind or visually impaired who would like to pursue college training and has not done so yet as a person who is blind or visually impaired. The purpose of the program is to give potential college students the opportunity to take a college class for credit, along with other classes and activities designed by MCB. Students will find out what it's like to be a college student, try out their independent living skills in a supported environment, and have an opportunity to learn about themselves and make plans for their education after high school. The program will begin with a brief stay at the MCB Training Center and continue with students residing at a Western Michigan University student dormitory. To determine a student's readiness to meet the challenges of academic classes and daily living on campus, each student must complete a college assessment. For the 2008 program, the last day to begin the college assessment at the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center in Kalamazoo is June 16. For more information, contact Lisa Kisiel (MCB) at 269-337- 3238 or Shannon McVoy (MCB) at 269-337-3449.
MCB Summer Independent Living Skills Camp, Macomb County, July 7-18, is for eligible MCB clients age 14-26. This program is an opportunity for students to develop, improve, and increase their exposure to the community and develop skills for self-reliance, independent living, and the sound work ethic needed to compete for employment. For more information, contact Curtis Simpson (MCB) at (313) 456-1658.
Bear Lake Camp in Lapeer, July 16, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., is a one-day camp sponsored by MCB for blind and visually impaired youth ages 14-26 featuring simulated employment activities and other activities of daily living. For more information, contact Elizabeth White (MCB) at (810) 760-2037.
Quest for Success Summer Youth Program at Camp Tuhsmeheta (near Greenville), July 20-25, is a week-long summer camp program for blind and visually impaired youth ages 14-18 who are in high school. Sponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind and Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, the program combines fun-filled summer camp activities with the chance to learn invaluable skills in Braille, access technology, travel skills, cooking, and organizational management. For more information, call MCB at 1-800-292-4200 and ask for the MCB Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for your area.
The Michigan Commission for the Blind provides training and other opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve independence and/or employment, annually serving more than 4,500 state residents. During 2008, MCB is celebrating its 30th year of providing services. For more information about MCB, call toll-free at 1-800-292-4200 (voice) or 1-888-864-1212 (TTY), or visit the website at www.michigan.gov/mcb.
The Michigan Commission for the Blind is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG), which is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now. DLEG is an equal opportunity employer/program. For more information about DLEG, visit the department's website at www.michigan.gov/dleg.
Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.
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