Youth and Family Resources: March 2013

This month, we have focused on summer camp opportunities for younger youth, as well as scholarship possibilities for our older participants. Because we know that families often need information and support as much as their youth, we have also provided an opportunity for parents of adolescents with a disability.

If you would like more resources, please leave a comment below or contact us through Facebook, Twitter, email, or phone. Let us know if you are seeing the type of resources and information you need each month, or if you would like us to focus on other topics as well.

Transition Internship Program
The Boston Center for Independent Living is excited to announce their third annual summer Transition Internship Program (TIP). TIP is a great opportunity for youth with disabilities, ages 16-22, to gain valuable work experience. TIP hires and pays each intern $10/hr and matches them with partner sites where they work for from late June to the end of August. Interns can work for their site between ten to twenty hours per week and will also be expected to attend weekly employment skill building workshops at BCIL.

The TIP application is due by April 12, 2013 at 5 pm. If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact Sarah Kaplan at skaplan@bostoncil.org, or call her at 617 338-6665 x 202.

KELLY Award
Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP) is pleased to announce the sixth annual KELLY Award (Keep Encouraging Lifelong Learning for Youth). The KELLY Award is an exclusive scholarship opportunity for mentees at Partner and Associate Partner member mentoring programs in 2013. An educational gift of $20,000, payable over four years, will be awarded to a mentee, nominated by his or her mentor, who has overcome and persevered through adversity.

Applications must be submitted via online application by March 21. Read the award guidelines and criteria, and access the application (Be sure to select the check box for KELLY award). For questions about the KELLY Award or application, please contact Elena Sokolow-Kaufman at eskaufman@massmentors.org.

Camp Shriver
Camp Shriver is an inclusive summer camp held from July 8th through August 2nd, on the UMass Boston campus. It will take place Monday through Friday, from 8:30am until 2:00pm. The camp is for youth aged 8 through 12. Other than a $25 registration fee, the camp is FREE, and includes free breakfast, lunch, and camp gear. The camp will also provide transportation from designated pick-up/drop off sites.

Download an application today at: www.csde.umb.edu. Applications are due no later than April 1, 2013. Admission is by lottery, so completion of an application is not a guarantee of admission. Campers are notified of acceptance in May/June.

Please return the completed and signed application by April 1 to:

Center for Social Development and Education
ATTN: Camp Shriver
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Blvd
Boston, MA 02125-3393
Fax: 617-287-7249
Email: csde@umb.edu

“Planning a Life” Transition Conferences
If you have a child with a disability approaching the ages of 14 to 21, this transition conference is an important opportunity for you. Plan now and prepare for a full productive life during and after high school. Two action-packed days are filled with information and resources that will support you to understand your role, rights and responsibilities in the transition planning process.

All events are Friday and Saturday, from 8:30am—4:30pm. Upcoming dates and locations are:

– Western MA: March 15 and 16
– Berkshires: April 12 and 13
– South of Boston: May 10 and 11

For more information, contact Terri McLaughlin at tmclaugh@fcsn.org, or give her a call at 617-236-7210.

AbleRoad Disability App
AbleRoad is a website and mobile app for finding and rating accessible places – restaurants, shops, hotels, medical practices and many other venues. It’s a perfect mobile service for people with disabilities, medical conditions and their friends, family members, and caregivers. You can access AbleRoad at the website or by using the iPhone and iPad apps. They are all free, so start posting reviews today!

Here are the links to get started: AbleRoad.com, Download the App

St. Patrick’s Day Parades
Southie’s annual parade begins at the Broadway T stop, proceeds down West Broadway, and ends at Andrew Square. The parade will take place on St. Patrick’s Day, on March 17, at 1pm.

For those who want a more inclusive event, the Peace Parade – which includes Veterans for Peace and Gay Rights groups – will march the same route starting at 2pm.

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