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Introducing AmeriCorps Next Step Skills Program, Presented by the Overbrook School for the Blind.

White Canes Connect

Release Date: 11/18/2024

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As all blind and visually impaired people know, some of our most enriching experiences come from interactions with like-minded peers. Overbrook School for the Blind, a renowned school for the blind and visually impaired in the Philadelphia region, recognize just how important these opportunities are for blind and visually impaired youth. To fulfill this need, they created the AmeriCorps mentorship program, which connects youth mentors in higher education, or those succeeding in the workplace, to students exploring their path of possibilities ahead of them. Join White Canes Connect contributor Simon Bonenfant, as he sits down with Bethany Johnson, Program Director, as well as Dauad Yasar, student mentor, as they discuss how the program was formed, benefits to both mentors and mentees, and more. 

From the AmeriCorps Website: “The OSB AmeriCorps Program improves the work-readiness of visually impaired Pennsylvanians ages 16-28. OSB AmeriCorps will enroll 16 visually impaired Pennsylvanians as AmeriCorps members who will deliver a work readiness curriculum and serve as mentors to 60 visually impaired Pennsylvanians per year.

This AmeriCorps program is unique in its design. AmeriCorps members and the students they serve are close in age and share the experience of living with visual impairments. This creates especially powerful near-peer mentoring relationships and develops work-readiness of 60 young Pennsylvanians and the AmeriCorps members.

In each session, lessons and virtual mentoring will be delivered during afterschool and evening hours to be most accessible to students. Lessons will be conducted in group settings, maintaining the small student to instructor ratio. To meet student needs, AmeriCorps members may offer lessons multiple times per week to allow students to attend the lessons that fit their schedule. Lessons will be 60- to 90- minutes each, and be a combination of presentation, discussion and reflection activities.” 

Interested in applying for the AmeriCorps next step skills program? Applications for the winter session close on Friday November 22nd. Students can apply using this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fiw1Za7wVPt4dzulL_Ee6G1hiaAOwzOx5BVRzG4nVRY/viewform?pli=1&pli=1&edit_requested=true 

Listening after November 22nd? Check back on the AmeriCorps webpage, as they have several application enrollment periods: https://www.obs.org/what-we-do/osb-americorps.cfm .

You can contact the program by emailing [email protected]

Find them on Facebook and Instagram, or give Bethany a call at: +1(802)363-0296. 

Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/116   

An Easy Way to Help the NFB of PA

Support the NFB of PA with every purchase at White Cane Coffee Company by going to https://www.whitecanecoffee.com/ref/nfbp. When you use that link to purchase from White Cane Coffee, the NFB of PA earns a 10% commission! Share the link with your family and friends! Listen to Erin and Bob Willman from White Cane Coffee on episode 072 of White Canes Connect.

Donate to the NFB of PA

If you want to donate to the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, visit https://www.NFBofPA.org/give/.

Contact White Canes Connect

Have you benefited from a mentorship experience that’s helped you grow to the person you are today?? We’d love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or give us a call at: 267-338-4495

Follow White Canes Connect

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-canes-connect/id1592248709 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1YDQSJqpoteGb1UMPwRSuI 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pablindpodcast