NFB Project STRIVE is dedicated in providing quality programs to help meet the unique needs of blind and visually impaired youth throughout Utah. Project STRIVE instructors are positive, educated, blind adults who are fully dedicated to model, mentor, encourage and teach life, education, and employment readiness skills. These skills, along with a positive attitude towards blindness is absolutely critical for blind and visually impaired youth to transition successfully as adults.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

U of U & USU

Below are photos from our U of U activity in January
Ice Skating like a bunch of professionals!
Touring campus
Adam, Mac, Barbie, Brandon, Ashley, Becky, Ulvia, Elijah, Jacob, Megan, &Heidi
David, Jonothan, Quinn, & Mathew.
Asia, Caroline, Elli, Kirt, Tina, Brooke, Marybai, Maddy, Kendyl, & Melody.

Below are photos from our USU activity in March

Aggie Ice Cream!
Headed to the admissions office.
Playing a game with "boom whackers"
Maddy & Cheralyn
Playing games.

Sizzlin' with UABS

Come join us!

Please join the members and friends of The Utah Association of Blind Students (UABS) for an opportunity to make new friends, and catch up with old friends at the Sizzler in Salt Lake. Food will be provided, but you MUST RSVP to President Mac Biggers no later than Sunday, April 15 to guarantee yourself a seat.

What: UABS meet and greet

When: Friday, April 20, 2012

Where: Sizzler. 371 E. 400 S. SLC

Time: 6:00pm

RSVP: Mac Biggers 801-916-9753 utahabs@yahoo.com

Friday, April 13, 2012

Some color for the blog.

(Photo taken at USU in March. Massage train!)

At Project STRIVE, we get more done than just tour college campuses!

A to Z Braille Course: Uncontracted Braille for Reading Partners

Adults! This is information on a weeklong braille course being offered through the U.

Who: Parents, adults, siblings, family, and other community members!
What: Weeklong course focusing on uncontracted braille and braille literacy
Where: At the UofU, St. George, Moab, Ogden, Logan.
When: June 18-21st (8am- 12pm)
Cost: $60 (Stipends are available)
Contact: Patty Davis (Patty.davis@utah.edu, 801-581-4764); or Chris Bischke (Chris.bischke@utah.edu, 801-585-3925)


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Project STRIVE Career Fair

When: Saturday, April 14, 2011
Where: Division of Services for Blind & Visually Impaired
250 N. 1950 W. Salt Lake City
Time: 10 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. (Lunch included)
Who: Blind & Visually Impaired Youth/Young adults ages (12-26)
What: Dress for success & bring your resume (for extra Apple a Day points)

Workshop topics
  • Employability Skills
  • How to Present Your Blindness
  • Job Exploration for 12-16 year olds
  • Interview Prep for high school age to 26 years
  • DVS w/ pull-out for
    • Mock Interviews
    • BELL Jr. Mentor Interviews
    • Project STRIVE video interviews (for the NFBU state convention presentation-you could be a star)
  • Ongoing throughout the day- Resume Tutoring- bring your resume or create one
Questions or Transportation Assistance
Contact Cheralyn Creer @ cheralyn.creer@yahoo.com /801-651-55o4

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Save The Date.

SAVE THE DATENational Federation of the Blind of Utah

2012 ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION!

Red Lion Hotel

161 W. 600 S.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Thursday, May 17th – Saturday, May 19th, 2012

It is Respectable to Be Blind, NFB of Utah Leading the Way

Win An iPad 3!

Convention Highlights:

· Utah Parents of Blind Children Meet, Greet & Eat Family Event (child care will be provided)

· Parents can get a free white cane for their child

· Information for parents of blind children

· National Speaker, Mr. Jim Gashel, known nationwide for his leadership in innovative technology for the blind

· Demonstrations of latest technology for the blind

· New info for blind seniors

· Learn how to download and use electronic books for school and pleasure

· Activities for Blind or Visually Impaired students

· Lots of information for adults, students and parents

· Exciting changes at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DSBVI)

· Tips from blind individuals in the workplace

HOTEL: The NFB of Utah is subsidizing the cost of meals and hotel rooms during the convention. These steeply discounted rates are noted on the registration form for those who register by May 15. Meals start at $5 per person.

Watch for more information coming soon

Thursday, April 5, 2012

BELL Program

Project STRIVE is again pleased to announce the 2012 Summer BELL (Braille Enrichment Literacy & Learning) Junior Mentor employment opportunity. If you have any interest, ACT NOW!!!

This is a fantastic opportunity to receive excellent job readiness skills and be compensated at a competitive level. If you are interested in this position, start NOW by preparing a sharp resume' and brushing up on your Braille skills. If you need extra help or direction with your resume or preparing for an interview, get help at the Project STRIVE Career Fair April 14th and/or contact Cheralyn Creer to be matched with an employed Blind mentor who can help with this process.

SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

for Blind/Visually Impaired Youth (ages 14-24)

Title: Project STRIVE, Junior Blind Mentor for NFB of Utah BELL

(Braille Enrichment Literacy & Learning) Program

Dates: June 11-22, 2012 (Monday-Friday both weeks)

Location: 1655 E. 3300 S. Salt Lake City

Time: 8:00 am-4:00 pm


Stipend: $500* for 10 days, plus opportunity to earn up to a $100 bonus* for perfect attendance, program planning & implementation, & high scores on assessments. If needed, possible housing options available for those living in rural Utah.

Purpose: The 2010 Project Strive Youth and Parent survey results showed that 61% were seeking summer employment opportunities, 57% requested employment skills training, and 47% reported they did not know a blind or visually impaired adult or teen who was employed. This opportunity is a summer employment opportunity, provides employment skills training and participants will network with successful blind and visually impaired adults who are currently employed.


Requirements:

*Possess good leadership abilities and responsibility skills

*Demonstrate appropriate behavior at all times

*Demonstrates patience, enthusiasm, self control and dependability

*Has the ability to work with others and follow directions

*Excellent Orientation & Mobility skills, comfortable using a white cane in the community for safety and identification.

*Has good Braille skills. Preference given to those that are proficient in Braille reading and writing.

*Available all 10 working days plus 1 day of mandatory training date

Responsibilities and Duties

Assist the BELL program directors with daily activities which include but are not limited to:

1) Braille reading and writing activities

2) Arts & Crafts

3) Games/Activities

4) Field Trip Supervision

5) Positive Examples

6) Help with lesson preparations

Junior blind mentors will be supervised and receive daily feedback on their performance. They will also be trained throughout the week by blind mentors on employability and job readiness skills.

If you are interested in this employment opportunity, please send a resume with a letter of application that describes additional information on your skills and experience and why you are qualified for this job.

You may email your resume and letter of application via email to Cheralyn Creer cheralyn.creer@yahoo.com or mail to: 83 Belmont Dr. Farmington, Utah 84025

Closing Date: April 12, 2012

Interviews will be conducted at the Project STRIVE Career Fair April 14th at DSBVI from 10:00-4:00. We are aware of other activities for the blind going on that day.