Hi! I am Jessica, and I’m from the metro Detroit area. I currently live in East Lansing and attend Michigan State University. I am studying special and elementary education with hopes of one day becoming a special education teacher, and then a teacher for the visually impaired.

One of the things I am most grateful for is my independence, and the career exploration opportunities afforded to me by BSBP. This is why I am thrilled to be a student ambassador this year! I hope to have the chance to empower others to achieve high levels of independence, gain valuable experience I can take to my future classrooms and make meaningful connections.

I am energetic, compassionate, a great problem solver, and a good listener. If you see me at a program this summer don’t be shy and come say “hi!”

July 18-21, 2023

Transitions in Training is being offered in-person for the 2023 program! Students will participate in person for the highly interactive 4-day program: Tuesday, July 18 through Friday, July 21. Late registration is open through July 7.

Highlights include:

• Tour a variety of local businesses
• Dinner with Agency Directors
• Stay on MSU Campus
• Learn about your community resources
• Interact with horses at the Equine Center for Learning
• Practice your interviewing skills through mock interviews with professionals

Sign up at https://bit.ly/BSBP-TNT2023.

August 13-18, 2023

Starting to plan your education and career journey? Check out the STEM Track to see where science, technology, engineering, and mathematics might take you!

Through a series of fun, interactive activities, students will explore a variety of STEM-related areas, as well as relevancy for advanced education and employment. Students will also get a chance to participate in educational outings within the community and interact with sighted peers.

The program will use tactile models, sound, and hands-on activities. Students will also be introduced to 3D printing technology by assembling a 3D printer, 3D printing objects, learning about the phases of the moon, examining the surface and structure of the sun, tracing life cycles of the stars, discovering the shapes and structures of star clusters and galaxies, and exploring the constellations that make up the zodiac signs.

Sound like a blast to you? Then register at https://bit.ly/BSBP-STEM2023 and follow up with your local BSBP counselor for a referral. Late registration is still open!

August 3-5, 2023

Are you a blind or low vision college student – or do you know one – who is interested in helping to build BSBP programs and mentor younger students while getting paid? Well, it's time for you to "Take the Lead!" BSBP and Eurisko Vocational Services have partnered to provide innovative new leadership training for post-secondary students.

The program will include employment focused activities and leadership training designed to introduce students to skills they will need to successfully interview and demonstrate leadership abilities. Students will be scored on their leadership abilities throughout the program in addition to a final interview to become a BSBP Student Ambassador. 

BSBP has a need for student mentors to assist with camps and programming throughout the state. In order to maximize resources and provide valuable experience to our students, BSBP has developed a one-year work program with monthly training. These experiences will allow students a valuable introduction to work skills.

BSBP students who are interested in the work experience will complete “Take the Lead” weekend and will interview for paid positions. This is a transformative stand alone program so even if you are not interested in becoming a mentor, it is still a wonderful opportunity for students to hone their leadership skills.

Sign up at https://bit.ly/BSBP-TTL23. 

Last month I had the privilege of being part of a hospitality orientation experience for students and a family engagement experience designed for parents and families. The weekend was filled with many opportunities including learning what types of jobs and careers are part of the hospitality industry. Even more so, this weekend was designed for families to enjoy quality time together, for students to be with their peers and for parents to share their questions and concerns while getting to know our staff.

I had the pleasure of working with Sean Roy from TransCen, Inc. to run a session titled “Work is possible: Imagining a great life.” We understand families are such a huge part of the process of helping low vision and blind students to engage with the many programs and services that are available to them. It is important that families feel confident and comfortable with their BSBP team. We do not take lightly the responsibility that is bestowed upon us when entrusting your children and young people in programs and services.

Some of the most valuable takeaways for me while being part of this great program were gleaned from listening to the feedback from parents. Parents who not only observed but participated in the great work BSBP does. There were comments such as “after observing the care, concern and dedication of the BSBP team I am more inclined to have my child be part of the programs provides.” 

While sharing that it’s ok to expect our children to do more and be more another parent said, “I learned today that I need to expect more from my daughter.” On another occasion a very caring and protective dad shared that this year when his daughter goes to the training center he’s not going to sit by the phone. Instead, he’s going to plan some other things because his daughter will do just fine.

The best part of this experience was watching these families develop relationships, share phone numbers and learn from each other. Helen Keller once said, “alone we can do so little and together we can do so much.” 

The power of inclusion and representation is essential. As we chart the life course we will worry about many things – being safe, being productive, having a job, living independently. As we work together to promote all these things our families are critical to supporting this process. Thank you for sharing your children, and your time. What a gift we have been given!

Do you have an awesome BSBP counselor who goes above and beyond to help you (or your child) achieve your goals? Well now you can tell the world about them😊! 

We would love to profile your counselor in one of our upcoming monthly newsletters! Just to sweeten the deal, if your submission is selected, you will receive a special gift courtesy of the BSBP Pre-ETS team. 

Complete your quick and easy nomination at https://forms.gle/i2EkPg72Z6927xEd8.

Each year, students are invited to submit an essay about a deserving nonprofit organization through the Kiwanis Boyne City Eddie Essay Contest. Last month winners were granted checks to present to their selected charity at the 17^th Annual Eddie Essay Contest breakfast.

Jack Towne, brother of BSBP participant Aiden Towne, wrote an essay about Aiden’s experience with Camp Transition Zone at Camp Daggett. He received an honorable mention for the essay and was able present Camp Daggett a $200 check.

Here is an excerpt from his essay:

“I chose this organization because my brother, Aidan, attended Camp Transition Zone at Camp Daggett with the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons. He absolutely loves this camp and can hardly wait until the next program begins. Camp Daggett is important to the community since it helps children of all ages. They use high school students as counselors which helps both the children that attend camp but also the counselors themselves.

The feeling that is given to my brother when he is at camp is amazing. He is able to attend camp for a whole week and it gives my brother some independence without my parents being there. This independence, the smile on his face, the sadness that he feels when he has to leave to come home is an experience to treasure. With Camp Daggett being in our backyard, it gives my parents some happiness, knowing that he is in safe hands learning and having fun. Aidan loves camp so much that he becomes very emotional when my mom picks him up from camp.

You should choose my essay as the winner because it would make my family happy, proud and it would benefit Camp Daggett with 100-dollars. We are fortunate to have Camp Daggett in our backyard.”

We join Jack and the Kiwanis Club in acknowledging the great work and phenomenal partnership of Camp Daggett. We look forward to many more years of Camp Transition Zone and its impact on the lives of the students we serve.

Virtual Job Interview Training Research Study

The National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC) at Mississippi State University is doing an innovative research project about virtual job interview training. They want to find out if virtual interview training can help transition-age youth who are blind or have low vision improve their interview skills and ultimately achieve better employment outcomes.

To accomplish this, NRTC researchers are working with an existing web-based virtual interview training program developed by SIMmersion and researchers from the University of Michigan. In collaboration with SIMmersion, they customized the program to meet the needs of blind and low vision youth and made updates to enhance its accessibility and usability.

In the second phase, NRTC researchers are conducting a research study to evaluate the effectiveness of the updated virtual interview training program with 60 transition-age youth who are blind or have low vision. They are partnering with BSBP and other agencies across the U.S. to make this study possible.

Some study participants will start using the virtual interview training program this summer, while others will be placed on the waiting list for next year. All participants will complete a pretest, posttest, and 6-month follow-up to assess their interview skills, confidence, interview anxiety, and employment outcomes. The study’s findings will provide insight into the potential of virtual interview training to help blind and low vision youth improve their interview skills and inform vocational rehabilitation counselors and other service providers on how to better support these youth in their journey toward employment.

BSBP will be selecting study participants for this 4-8 week study from our Take the Lead program participants. We are proud to be part of this work to better prepare blind and low vision students for the world of work. If you would like more information about this study, please contact Niyah Jawo at jawoconsulting@gmail.com.