Youth Transition Program
About
At The Chicago Lighthouse, we create a nurturing environment that supports people who are blind and vision impaired in all areas of life. Our Youth Transition Program provide teens and young adults (ages 15 – 24) with the tools they need for independence. We host a variety of experiences designed for youth who intend to live independently, seek competitive employment, and/or attend a vocational training program or college upon graduation from high school. We’ll work with each participant to address his or her individual needs and challenges.
Career Fair for Students who are Blind or Low Vision
November 14th
Calling All Students who are Blind or Low Vision!
A unique opportunity to interact with business leaders, successful adults who are blind or low vision and recent college grads who are blind or low vision to assist in your exploration of career possibilities and networking.
Career Pathways Program
January 13 and August 19, 2025
In January 2025, The Chicago Lighthouse, in partnership with Moraine Valley Community College, will launch the Career Pathways Program, which will help students with disabilities train to become classroom paraprofessionals. Through an online course, participants will prepare for the ETS ParaPro Assessment, a certification required to become a teacher’s aide. The program is open to youth with disabilities ages 18-24 who have completed high school and are looking for an opportunity to move into the workforce.
This free program will involve:
- Approximately six months of self-directed online classwork with a curriculum that will teach how paraprofessionals assist with classroom instruction as well as strategies to support students of different learning abilities in reading, writing and math.
- Regular meetings with a Moraine Valley Community College success coach to help participants organize their courseload and identify areas requiring assistance.
- Regular sessions with Chicago Lighthouse Employment Counselors to provide job readiness training, resume building, mock interviews and information on being employed with a disability (such as accommodation requests and ADA requirements).
- Upon completion of training and passing the licensing test, participants will be placed in a 6-week, on-the-job paid practicum to put their newfound skills to work.
The Chicago Lighthouse will offer two Career Pathways Program cohorts (January 2025 and August 2025), each consisting of five participants. Participants will complete self-directed online coursework (designed to be completed in six months) to prepare for the certification.
The January 2025 cohort application deadline is December 6, 2024.
First Jobs Program
June 17 – August 9, 2024
8 week paid internship
- Combines virtual learning, on-site orientation and paid work experience
- Participants will learn about topics including resume writing, interview skills, career planning, disability disclosure, nonverbal communication skills, self-advocacy and conflict resolutions
- Following training, students will complete a 6-week paid internship (25 hours/week) with the possibility for competitive employment with reputable companies
The First Jobs Program is now full for 2024. Please check back next year.
Photography for All (Chicago Residents only)
June 17 – August 2, 2024
7 week in-person and remote paid instruction
An opportunity for youth with vision impairments to explore their creative passions while gaining vocational skills
- Participants will travel throughout Chicago to take photographs with iPads (provided)
- Apple engineers will provide in-depth training on using iPad accessibility features
- Virtual training session covers topics including resume writing, career planning, disability disclosure, nonverbal communication skills, self-advocacy, conflict resolution, and interview skills
- Youth will also participate in One Summer Chicago, providing the opportunity to build relationships, leadership, and life skills
The Photography For All Program is now full for 2024. Please check back next year.
Summer in the City (SitCity)
Summer in the City is BACK!
July 28-August 2, 2024
The Summer in the City Program is now full for 2024. Please check back next year.
ABSF Ski Trip
Check back this winter for our next outing!
Let the American Blind Skiing Foundation take you on an experience like no other, as qualified instructors coach participants to downhill ski! Open to all experience levels of skiiers who are blind/vision impaired, the ABSF aims to provide skiiers with “both physical and psychological therapeutic value.”
Lift tickets, skis, boots, and helmet rentals will be provided FREE of charge.
For more information, please contact:
Fay Zeigler
(312) 666-1331 ext. 3203
fay.zeigler@chicagolighthouse.org
