Hi! I am Jonathan W. and I’m from St. Clair Shores (a suburb just outside of Detroit). My hobbies include reading, writing, hiking, playing board and video games, watching movies, and listening to music. I also really enjoy collecting comic books and older games.

My main reason for wanting to be a student ambassador was so that I could help the younger students who are going to college.

There are a lot of things I wish I would have known going in and I hope that by doing this program I can work to make their college transition easier. 

The Lean In! Program was designed for you, by people like you, to help you prepare for your career. The program is designed, developed and facilitated by individuals who are blind and low vision who have achieved success, and includes:

• Self-assessment
• Skills inventory
• Professional branding 
• Interviewing with confidence
• Understanding the skills required to be self-employed

Mastering these skills is critical to achieving the career you desire. We will show you how.

To be considered for this revolutionary program each candidate must commit to:

• Attending eight monthly training sessions
• Actively participating in workshop activities
• Working on career research and other assignments between monthly sessions

Your hard work will be rewarded by earning the opportunity to attain a paid internship with one of our corporate partners. Earn is the operative word here. We will provide the opportunity; you must supply the energy. 

Take a look at what other BSBP students have experienced with LEAN IN!: https://youtu.be/aUSvJ67DlW4.

Are you up for it? Do you have what it takes? Register at https://forms.gle/V5QMjzzkpK1UdK2M7.

Lean In! Prep is a program developed and facilitated for people like you, by people like you. Lean In! Prep explorers will learn about different career options that are aligned with their interests and will have the opportunity to collectively run their own small business.

As a Lean In! Prep explorer, you will:

• Learn how to leverage your so-called disability for success
• “Find Your Cheese” through an exploration of different career options
• Sharpen your technology skills to be better prepared for higher education and/or future employment
• Learn how to be individually accountable and effective within a team
• Be paid for your hard work

Participants in this innovative program must:

• Be a high school junior or senior
• Have access to internet suitable for virtual meetings
• Be a customer of the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)
• Be committed to participate in all Lean In! Prep group activities

There is life after high school. What you receive in dollars can be complemented by a sense of fulfillment. Are you interested in developing the tools to be ready? Lean In! Prep can help.

Register at https://forms.gle/k5gSYeo6YCgLsyWS7.

The high school years are a crucial time for students with disabilities. This is the period of time where interests emerge and skills are built. Unfortunately, too many student Individual Education Plans (IEP) lack focused goals in the areas students need most. BSBP will soon be sharing information on a webinar designed to help families maximize their student's IEP to better prepare for transition. The session will give families tips and tools to work with schools so key employment and independent living skills can be incorporated into the IEP. 

BSBP also recognizes that families play an important role in helping prepare their young adults for employment and life in the community. That's why we're working with Sean Roy at TransCen to help support families through an informational webinar. Families will also have opportunities to provide feedback on BSBP programs. 

TransCen will conduct listening sessions with BSBP families who have attended parent workshops and other programming (such as the Great Wolf Lodge weekend). The purpose is to learn from families familiar with BSBP programming as to how offerings can be improved and expanded. The goal is to find ways to better support BSBP families and to create programs for students that are appealing and effective.

If you have attended any of these events and would like to participate in the listening session, sign up to participate at https://forms.gle/P6kqUnrVXJUbMiJ67. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Dan Mitchell is an energetic and fun-loving counselor in our west Michigan region. He’s a proud father of a 10-year-old boy and spends much of his free time working on building projects, including home improvement and Lego models with his son. 

Dan was born, raised and currently lives in Grand Rapids. He attended Western Michigan University (WMU) for both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Dan originally wanted to become an FBI profiler but was introduced to Vision Rehab Therapy through an Intro to Disabilities class at WMU and fell in love with the subject. Fun fact: Dan later went on to teach that very same class at WMU!

Dan is a huge Detroit Lions and University of Michigan football fan. He has been with BSBP for 12 years and has worked in his current capacity as a teacher/counselor for seven years. When asked about his absolute favorite things about being a counselor at BSBP he was torn between two.

“It’s great to see my students develop and go through the whole discovery process, obtaining work experiences, applying skills learned in Pre-ETS programs, talking with professionals in their desired field, etc.," said Dan. "But I also really love connecting with employers and assisting them with identifying accommodations and supporting my customers in their work experiences and jobs.”

"Dan has totally helped me in researching about careers, having great discussions as well as being respectful of my input," said Pre-ETS student Nasko Cleland, who nominated Dan. "He is supporting me as I go through my college journey in the fall and has helped me grow and find my interests and the types of jobs I can go into. Thanks to Dan I am on my way to a bright future and exciting adventures.”

Cheers to Dan for being an inspiring counselor and amazing partner to the students and families he serves!

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 feature 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.