Summer Transition Work Experience

The last two weeks of Summer Transition each student completed an internship at a business in their community. This gives the students an opportunity to learn about real world job experiences and the important employability skills such as proper work attire and behavior, showing initiative, being on time and ready to work, and also improves their socialization and communication skills.

We want to thank the following businesses for so graciously allowing the teens to work with them:

Thermodyne-Pensacola, FL

The Independent News-Pensacola, FL

Angel's Garden-Pensacola, FL

Texas Roadhouse-Milton, FL

Waterfront Rescue Mission-Ft. Walton Beach, FL

Florida Representative Brad Drake's Office-DeFuniak Springs, FL

The Liberty-Calhoun Hospital-Blountstown, FL

The City of Panama City-City Hall-Panama City, FL

The Florida Division of Blind Services and Independence for the Blind of West Florida's Board of Directors and Staff want to Thank everyone who helped make this year's program a success:

Leigh Hoskins

John O'Dillon

Mary Colston

The Apple Market

Ever'man's

Target

Best Buy

Wal-Mart

Panama City Police Department

Panama City Fire Department

City of Panama City-City Hall

Panama City Beach City Hall

Laguna Beach Christian Resort

The Suwannee River State Park

Elaine Cox

Anita Hoskins

Jay Wirth

Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Panama City

Jeff Danelly

Wachovia Bank

Whitney Voltz

Florida State University Visual Disabilities Department

Brenda O'Dillon

Florida State University Alumni Association

Starbuck's Cordova Mall

Dr. Sandra Lewis

Denise Vaughan

Cynthia Lyons

Priscilla McCorvey

Dr. John Galloway

Robbie Roberson

Division of Blind Services-State office

IB West Staff

Division of Blind Services Staff

Leia Mais…

2009 Summer Transition Program

During the last week of summer transition, Independence for the Blind staff and the transition students hit the road. The first stop was the Florida State Capitol and the state Florida Division of Blind Services office. The next couple of days were spent at the Suwannee River State Park, swimming, fishing, enjoying nature, and getting plenty of individualized instruction from counselors.

The group then went back to Tallahassee to visit Florida State University, where they met Alumni Services Representative Jay Wirth and Visual Disabilities Department Head Dr. Sandra Lewis.

Pictured above: The group at the Tallahassee Division of Blind Services State office with Division of Blind Services Director Joyce Hildreth and Counselor Wayne Jennings.

Pictured above: Visiting the Florida State Capitol Building in Tallahassee.

Pictured above: The students take a picture at the Suwannee River State Park entrance sign.

Pictured above: Darreck and Gem, Leigh's guide dog, swimming at Troy Springs.

Pictured above: Mr. John O'Dillon instructs Justin in the proper way to safely prepare lasagna.

Pictured above: Megan and Darreck assist in the preparation of dinner.

Pictured above: Cassie and Leigh have a good laugh while preparing salad.

Pictured above: Katie checks the sausage she is cooking for breakfast.

Pictured above: The group enjoys lunch at Chili's with FSU Alumni Relations Representative Jay Wirth.

Pictured above: The group visited the Visual Disabilities Department at Florida State University and Dr. Sandra Lewis gave a tour of the facilities and spoke to the group and careers working with blind and visually impaired.

Leia Mais…

More Summer Transition Fun!

Pictured above: The Summer Transition students pose in
front of a Panama City Firetruck with two of the city's firemen.



Pictured above: The students learned about fire safety and
different equipment used by the firefighters.




Pictured above: Ms. Mary and Cassie feel the different parts of the
water hose.





Pictured above: a Panama City firefighter discusses different parts of the firetruck with Justin and Mr. O'Dillon

Pictured above and below: the students listen to the Panama City

Firefighters.

Pictured above: Ms. Leigh and Cassie enjoying making their way to the front
door.

Pictured above: Erin gets outfitted in police gear.

Pictured above: Jodie tried on the police gear.

Pictured above: Alex also tried the police gear on.

Pictured above: Even Justin tried on the police gear.

Pictured above: the group listens to the Panama City Police.

Pictured above: the group toured the Panama City Police RV.

Pictured above: Alex, Megan, and Darreck in the Panama City Police

Department.

Pictured above: Justin and Darreck.

Pictured above: The group enjoys a walk on a nature trail in Panama City

Beach.

Leia Mais…