We all remember our first summer job and the life lessons we learned along the way that prepared us to enter the workforce as adults. This edition of The Voice features the agency's Summer Work Experience Program, often referred to as SWEP. Each year, SWEP connects school youth with invaluable work experiences and provides the opportunity for them to experience living independently in a college dormitory setting surrounded by peers. We are excited to continue to support the future workforce of Oregon by offering this foundational program to students who are blind. If you are a business that is interested in hosting a SWEP student in 2026, it is never too early to reach out.

I hope that you enjoy reading about the featured students and hearing about the agency's mission in action!

Dacia Johnson, MS, CRC
Executive Director

Oregon youth gain invaluable self-reliance skills, career experience through state program

The Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB) recently celebrated the conclusion of its 2025 Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) with two commencement ceremonies marking student successes. SWEP provides blind or low-vision young adults with hands-on professional experience and mentorship, helping students gain confidence, new friendships and valuable life skills for their futures.

SWEP is more than a summer job; it is Oregon’s only dedicated summer work training program for teenagers with vision loss. It’s an important part of participants’ lives and typically their first work experience. For five-to-six weeks, students complete a work placement with a local employer where they learn how to complete everyday entry-level tasks in a supportive environment.

Those in Portland have the option to stay at Portland State University in the dorms, where they learn skills like cooking, cleaning, budgeting and navigating across the city independently. With participants across Oregon, SWEP is a critically important program for youth with vision loss. 

Read on below to learn more about SWEP participants' experiences this summer, or read more about the program on our News page.

Learn about Chanel's exciting project and the impact of her SWEP experience

Learn how SWEP students built independence through this summer's cooking classes

Orientation and Career Center for the Blind Open House: On Sept. 29, prospective clients were invited to the Career Center’s open house to learn about training programs, meet instructors and explore enrichment activities like Dining with Grace and peer-led discussion groups. The event was an opportunity to ask questions, connect with others and help clients feel more prepared and confident on their path to independence and employment. Learn more about the Career Center.

100 Stories in 100 Days: The Council of State Administrators in Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) has launched an exciting campaign to highlight the collective impact of the public vocational rehabilitation (VR) program throughout our nation by featuring stories from state VR agencies about workers who experience disability and business customers who have had success finding talent by partnering with VR agencies around the country. When people work, the program works, contributing to the nation’s economic vitality and increasing the success of business. To learn more about this exciting campaign, please visit csavr.org. 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM): October 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of NDEAM, an annual recognition of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American workforce. This yearly event began in 1945 as a weeklong national observance of the contributions of people with disabilities. NDEAM 2025’s theme is Celebrating Value and Talent, recognizing the value and talent American workers with disabilities add to our workplaces and economy and highlighting their achievements. The agency is proud to be a partner in Oregon’s campaign and programming to commemorate this important tradition. To learn more, please visit the Oregon Department of Human Services.

White Cane Day 2025: October 15 marks White Cane Day, a time to celebrate the independence and achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired. The day also raises awareness about the white cane as a symbol of mobility, safety, and self-reliance.

Andrew Kobus is getting ready to leave his home in Portland to head to the University of Oregon in the fall. He is hoping to use his encounters from SWEP (including his work at the Portland Japanese Gardens) and freshman year in Eugene to narrow his focus for long-term educational, career and vocational goals.

Bodhi Neilson is returning home to Tigard and his sophomore year of high school. He is considering working part-time at his local Grocery Outlet after his positive experience at a Portland-area Grocery Outlet during SWEP.

Chanel Sarmiento-Contreras is returning home to Philomath and her junior year of high school. She noted that her summer work experience at OMSI cemented her goal to enter a STEM career pathway.

Emilee “Em” Underwood is returning home to Junction City and her junior year of high school. After an inspiring informational interview with a Starbucks manager during SWEP (set up by OCB’s Business Relations Coordinator Shauntel Stoughton), Em is considering applying at her local Starbucks to work as a barista. She noted that her confidence to do so is a result of the employment skills and experience she gained during this year’s SWEP work experience at SCRAP PDX Creative Reuse.

Emely Hernandez Lizarraras is returning home to the mid-Willamette Valley and her junior year of high school. Emely is considering long-term volunteer opportunities with pediatric hospitals in the Portland area. She would like to build upon the skills she gained at her SWEP position with the YMCA Child Development Center and further her experience working with children.

Fatima Vazquez-Zurita is returning home to Gresham and to her job with the Multnomah County Health Department. She is considering longer-term career planning and further developing her vocational skills through additional training.

Ruth Gongora is returning home to Hillsboro and her senior year of high school. She hopes to continue to develop skills she gained during her SWEP position at the Portland Montessori School where she excelled in connecting with children. Ruth is also exploring various options for her next steps following graduation from high school.

Maya Andrick worked with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and is headed back to Linfield College.

Dakota Gregorich worked at Grocery Outlet this summer and will continue a Work-based Learning Experience. He will finish his transition program in Lebanon.

Noelani Brawley worked for Camelias Candles, and she is looking for a permanent position in the Lebanon area.

Micah Laws worked for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). He is currently attending high school online and is seeking part-time work while finishing his senior year.

Emily Ramos Cervantes worked for HECC and will attend Clark College and the LIFFT program.

Daniella Mondragon worked for HECC, and she next heads back home to Keizer to attend her junior year at McNary High School.