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Sampling the World of Work Summer Program

Perkins Outreach Summer Employment Program: Sunday, June 21 - Friday, July 24, 2009

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).  Students must be independent in their daily living skills. 

Employment experience combined with a shared apartment life helps students be more successful in college, in future jobs, in managing dorm life, and in independent living.

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 Monday through Friday and receive a weekly paycheck.  In addition, they will tour job sites, participate in evening seminars and classes, 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
  • Budgeting weekly paychecks

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. 

Additional Information: Participation will be as a residential student for seminars, recreation, and employment.  Students may request to go home one weekend.  Friday, July 3rd  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 8-10, 2009 Vocational Exploration Weekend.

Registration: Download the request for an application form. 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
Or
FAX: 617-972-7586
E-Mail: Outreach@Perkins.org

A full application packet will be mailed upon receipt.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call:

Kelly Cote, Outreach Activities Coordinator
617-972-7867
E-mail: Kelly.Cote@Perkins.org