June Blog by Bridget

 

I hope you are all having a great summer.  I always love June because it kicks off the summer. My favorite summer things are summing, fishing, camping, and sleeping at a cabin.

Enjoying the warm summer doing all the things you love to do.

 

We have a summer camp and this week we are hosting a group from the AWESOME LIFE ACADEMY.  They are a fantastic group of people!  Next week we are hosting a group from ENVISION and I am also looking forward to being with all of them. If you want to check out our camp video go to the website: www.normanbarrcamp.org. You can see a really great video on there about camp.  I have been at this camp every summer since I was born and it is close to my heart. I work in the candy store, doing dishes and the grounds.  Great fun!

 

I am pretty excited that I am enrolled in the LEND training program that starts in the fall.  Illinois LEND is LEADERSHIP EDUCATION IN NEURODEVELOPMENTAL AND RELATED DISABILITIES.   I had to apply to get accepted so I am really thrilled.  They have a group of people who are self -advocates that they include in this training program so I will let you know how it goes.  If you are interested in doing this go to their website and think about applying next year.

 

Another great thing that you might be interested in is that I received an amazing scholarship from Ruby’s Rainbow. Ruby’s Rainbow gives college scholarships to people with Down Syndrome. I have about 1 ½ years to continue my program at the University of Illinois Chicago so this scholarship will help me reach my dreams. If you have Down Syndrome and want to go to college, check out RUBY’S RAINBOW.

 

My friend Ashley and I are the keynote speakers at the Illinois Transition Conference this November.  We are applying to present at the SPEAK UP SPEAK OUT conference also.   Check out these two events.  Join us at SPEAK UP SPEAK OUT! It is a lot of fun and you will get to meet a ton of self–advocates!!

 

I will be in touch next month to talk about FUN FOR THE DISABLED!!

 

May you find lots of fun things to do in July.

Dwell in the possibilities!
Bridget 

Focus on new opportunities

 

June Blog: Part 2

 

Hi There!

 

I hope you are continuing to have a fantastic summer! Speaking of summer, it is a great time to focus on new opportunities,  experiences, and goals you may have. This could be related to your future career goals or perhaps be related to applying for college. It could include exploring housing options once you are finished with school or starting a new hobby that brings you fulfillment and joy! Check out our list of things you can do this summer that will help set you up for success in the future!

 

Happy Summer!

Megan

 

1. Apply for a summer job. Many businesses and local organizations are interested in hiring for the summer!
2. Explore colleges online that have programs similar to your interests.
3. Not sure what you want to do in the future? Take a career interest and/or skill aptitude test!

 

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/best-free-career-assessment-tools

 

4. Volunteer. Find organizations in your community to get involved with! This can be a great way to build your professional (and personal!) network. This website helps match volunteers to opportunities in their areas

 

https://www.volunteermatch.org/

 

5. Build your resume. Consider taking online courses that provide certificates or tangible experiences in your area of interest.

 

https://grow.google/certificates/#?modal_active=none

 

6. Find a new hobby! There are plenty of ways to get involved in new or old hobbies! This might include joining an intramural league through your local Parks and Recreation Department, taking art classes at a local art studio, or taking cooking classes at a local restaurant. Summer is the perfect time to take time to invest in yourself!

 

List of Different Hobbies to Try:  https://theeverygirl.com/hobbies-at-home/

Seven Tools to Find People with Similar Interests: https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-tools-find-awesome-people-similar-interests/

Happy Summer

 

Family Matters: June Blog Posts

 

June Blog: Part 1

 

Hi Everyone and Happy Summer! 

 

We hope you are enjoying the start of your summer break or summer programming! We know how busy the end of the school year can be and we congratulate each of you on making it to the finish line! For those of you that graduated, we celebrate your success and wish you the best in your next chapter! This week, we are going to talk about and share tips for success when interviewing for a job. Whether you are entering your career or looking for summer employment, we’ve got you covered! Take a peek at some of these quick tips and tricks to landing your next job!

 

Talk soon!

Megan

 

1. Be on time for your interview! By arriving 10-15 minutes early for your interview,  it shows your employer that you are serious about the position, have a reliable means of transportation to get to and from work, and that you are committed to the job!
   
   
2. Bring a few copies of your resume to hand to the interviewer or interviewing team. You want to highlight your experience and success! Unsure of how to make  a resume, consider using this resources!

 

https://novoresume.com/career-blog/how-to-write-a-resume-guide

 

https://www.abilitiestowork.ca/blog/resume-tips-for-a-person-with-a-disability

 

3. Greet the interviewer with a handshake and a smile. If you prefer not to shake hands due to COVID-19 precautions, consider providing a wave instead!
   
   
4. Be prepared to talk about your strengths and what qualifies you as a great candidate for this position!
   
   
5. Bring questions. You will almost always get asked if you have any questions about the position you are applying for. You may ask questions regarding your role and responsibilities, the work culture, or if there are opportunities for advancement. This is the perfect opportunity to determine if this position is a good fit for you!