Summer in the City is an annual work-based learning experience where students discover new avenues and pathways related to the world of work. Facilitated by the staff and volunteers of the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI), students get hands-on, real-world experiences to prepare them for gainful employment. 

This past summer seven students participated and learned skills in restaurant etiquette and eating out, as well as planning meals, shopping and preparing for in home meals. They also experienced public transportation in the Grand Rapids area and traveled to a variety of locations to explore important work and community related topics. Examples include traveling to Grand Rapids Community College, Meijer and Mary Free Bed for adapted recreation opportunities. 

One highlight was traveling to Junior Achievement’s brand new “Biz Town”. BizTown combines classroom training with experiential job exploration at their simulated store fronts in the Cascade area complex. Participants learned about being citizens, workers and consumers in the community and how it relates to the free enterprise system.

Businesses from around west Michigan have storefronts within BizTown where participants were able to “try on” what the work would be like at the business. From corporations like Bissel®, Chick-fil-A, Gordon Food Service, and Bigby Coffee, participants expanded their understanding of work life within each of those local businesses. 

All in all, Summer in the City was a wonderful work-based learning experience. Students learned the depth and breadth of opportunities that exist in the greater Grand Rapids area. Thank you to ABVI for your work in planning it this year and running a great program! 

Name: Sanaa (San-nay-uh) K.

Hometown: Detroit; currently residing in Auburn Hills

School: Oakland University

Vocational Goal: To obtain my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and become licensed as a clinical social worker and eventually open my own private practice.

Name: Brady B.

Hometown: Gaylord

School: Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City.

Vocational goal: To create and run my own Asian fusion establishment.

Name: Adrian A.

Hometown: Remus

School: Taking prerequisites at Mid-Michigan Community College, planning to transfer to Central Michigan University for a Meteorology degree.

Vocational goal: To become a Meteorologist. 

Students will explore the Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) Healthy Living Campus and their Culinary program. This weekend will focus on career opportunities in Culinary Arts as well as postsecondary training opportunities.

Students will tour the campus and try on their chef hats in the KVCC Culinary classroom. They’ll also compete in a hands-on master chef activity and visit the KVCC greenhouse. And as an added bonus, students will take home fun kitchen tools to help them in their own home kitchens!

If this sounds exciting to you, we would love to meet you in the kitchen! Sign up at https://bit.ly/BSBP-Culinary.

This program is designed to assist students in gaining an applicable understanding of critical soft skills needed for workplace and/or post-secondary success.

Students will participate in group and individual challenges centered around popular reality series “Survivor” themed activities related to problem solving, critical thinking, appropriate attire, communication and team building.

If you think you can outthink and outlast the competition to become the Survivor in the workplace champion, we welcome you. This program will take place December 15-17 (Friday afternoon to Sunday morning) at the BSBP Training Center. ​​Register by November 24​ at https://bit.ly/BSBP-Survivor2023.

If your family hasn't visited the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Training Center (BSBPTC), don't wait! The BSBPTC is a residential facility which has been in operation since 1970. It provides comprehensive instruction to participants who are blind and visually impaired who are seeking to become independent at home and in the community. This residential program has been described as “life changing” by many of our students.

BSBPTC is open year-round and has accommodations for up to 29 students in 27 private rooms and two training apartments. Accessible rooms are available for those with special needs. Length of stay varies from a few weeks to several months, depending on individual needs and goals. Students are often the focus in summer months along with a few weekend programs throughout the year.

We encourage you to visit the BSBPTC webpage to discover how this unique experience can help your student to reach their goals.

Visit virtually!

Check out our new virtual tour at https://youtu.be/261pF3-f2jE.

Visit in-person!

Tours of the BSBPTC are available upon request. Tours are routinely scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The tour usually takes a half hour. Special arrangements can be made for tours outside these days and times, if necessary.

For more information about scheduling a tour, please contact BSBPTC by phone at 269-337-3848, or by email at LEO-BSBPTrainingCenter@michigan.gov.

Paid Work Experience

ReSOURCE is offering paid work-experiences in Assistive Technology (AT) Content Creation. The following roles are available based on their skill level and prior work experience: AT Planner, Project Lead, Project Coordinator. Students will also receive AT On Demand with a CATIS as part of this program.

View the work experiences flyer.

Training

Students can also sign up for an array of job readiness workshops including mobility with instruction from a COMS, Speaker Retreats hosted by professional speakers who are blind or visually impaired, and much more.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to your BSBP counselor for more information.

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.