2010-04-06

New Youth Leadership Network

3-day Training Workshop for Youth

April 30 – May 2, 2010

Blind Beginnings is pleased to announce the launch of our Youth Leadership Network! This exciting NEW program is offered to youth who are blind or visually impaired between 15 and 19 years of age, from across BC. The program is for youth to develop skills in public speaking, community presentations, communications, mentoring, active listening and empathy, organization and time management, team building and leadership.

Once trained, these youth leaders will be given opportunities to be role models or mentors to younger children who are blind, provide awareness presentations in their communities, and assist in the planning of group outings and special events. The objective of this program is to provide youth with transferable skills and volunteer experience that will assist them in their future employment pursuits. A secondary benefit is, through the mentor matching process, to provide younger children who are blind or visually impaired with opportunities to enhance self-esteem and set higher personal goals.

The Youth Leadership Network begins with a 3-day training workshop held at the Blind Beginnings office: 102 – 93 6th St. New Westminster, BC. The training workshop will begin on Friday April 30 at 9:30 am and will conclude on Sunday May 2 at 4:00 pm. Transportation will be arranged for participants who live outside of the lower mainland. Meals and accommodations will be provided at nearby restaurants and a hotel to be announced closer to the start of the program. Adult chaperones will be present both during the days and nights.

Each workshop participant must be a member of Blind Beginnings in order to register and attend the workshop. The annual cost for membership is $10 for an individual or $25 for the visually impaired child plus immediate family (parents and siblings). Members of Blind Beginnings can participate in any programs offered throughout the year, are covered under our liability insurance, and can vote at our Annual General Meeting. Complete our membership form.

If you are already a member and wish to register for this exciting new program, please complete and submit our secure, online registration form no later than Monday April 19. Space is limited and participants will be selected on a first come first serve basis.

Upon receipt of your registration information, you will receive more details about the Youth Leadership Training Workshop including transportation information and what each participant needs to bring.

For information on how to become a member of Blind Beginnings visit our Membership page or if you have any questions or concerns about this program, please contact Shawn Marsolais at: 604-434-7243 or toll free at: 1-866-736-8620 or email.

We are very grateful to Westminster Savings and Ventana Construction, for the generous donations that have funded the majority of this program.

» Become a member
» Complete Youth Leadership Training Registration Form