Sampling the World of Work Summer Program

Outreach Summer Employment Program: June 22 - July 12, 2008

Teenagers who are visually impaired often have fewer opportunities for employment during the summer. Perkins Outreach is again offering a five-week Summer Employment Program, for a limited number of high school students (age 16 or older) who are prepared for a job experience. Students must be independent in their daily living skills.

The Outreach Summer Employment Program will place high school students in entry-level positions in the greater Watertown area. Students will be matched to the job and provided with a job coach to help them learn the job and support them, as needed, as they work independently. They will work four days per week and tour job sites on the remaining day. They will participate in evening and Friday seminars and do assignments related to the world of work such as:

• sharing of daily work experiences
• presenting oneself well in person and on paper
• discussions with employed adults who are visually impaired
• job seeking skills
• social skills for the workplace
• interviewing skills
• completing a resume
• keeping a journal
• problem solving in a work situation 

Students will live in a supervised house on the edge of the Perkins campus. They will be responsible for the management of their living environment (i.e. shopping, meal preparation, laundry and housekeeping) and in the planning of recreational activities.

Learn about Envision the Future … Transition from School to Adult Life, an all-day March 29, 2008 conference hosted on the Perkins campus.

Additional Information:

• Participation will be as a residential student for seminars, recreation, and employment. Students may request to go home one weekend. Friday, July 4th is a program day.
• Following the program, comprehensive reports and recommendations will be sent to the parents and agency/school providing funding for each participant.
• Space is limited. All applicants and referral sources will be interviewed after a completed application packet has been returned. Vocational counselors and education contacts will also be interviewed. Students accepted into the program will be notified as soon as possible and will be expected to attend the May 9-11, 2008 Vocational Exploration Weekend.
• Registration: Download the application packet. Please indicate your interest in the Outreach Summer Employment Program and return the completed form to:

  Perkins Outreach Services
  175 North Beacon Street
  Watertown, MA 02472
  FAX: 617-972-7586
  E-Mail: Outreach@Perkins.org

•  For more information, contact Kelly Cote, Outreach Activities Coordinator, at 617-972-7867 or via e-mail at Kelly.Cote@Perkins.org.