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…

Summer Transition participants meet the Mayor of Panama City

The transition students learned first hand about working in government jobs from meeting several city employees in Panama City Thursday June 18. The group met current Mayor Scott Clemons in his office and had the opportunity to ask him questions regarding employment and other issues.

Pictured above: The group takes a picture in the Panama City Commission

Chambers.

Pictured above: Mary Colston, CVRT, Justin, Megan, Katie, Erin, Cassie, and

Darreck take a picture in city hall.

Pictured above: the group learns about government and how it affects everyone and makes a city run properly.

Pictured above: John O'Dillon, CVRT, meets a Panama City employee in the

Mayor's office.

Pictured above: Panama City Mayor Scott Clemons takes a picture with the Transition students in his office.

Pictured above: Touring City Hall.

Pictured above and below: The group had lunch at Bayou Joe's, a seafood restaurant that sits on a dock.

Leia Mais…

Learning about public transportation on the Bay Town Trolley

Pictured above: the group takes a picture in front of a Bay Town Trolley


Wednesday June 17, 2009 the Summer Transition students had an exciting day learning about the basics of public transportation. Bay Town Trolley Ambassador Matt Zebroski spent the day with the group as we rode the trolley from Pier Park on the beach, switched trolleys at Gulf Coast Community College, at lunch at the delicious Lunch Box, and then rode the trolley back out to the beach. Matt stressed the importance of planning out your route to ensure you make it to any appointments on time and don't miss any transfer trolleys. He also discussed how each student could attend their local city or county meetings to voice their opinions or request additional services, such as public transportation, in their own community.

Pictured above: Erin, Megan, and Ms. Elaine take a picture at Pier Park
Pictured above: Waiting for the trolley at Pier Park to ride to Gulf Coast Community College.

Pictured above : Katie and Jodie riding the trolley

Picture above: Leigh and her mom, Elaine, enjoying the trolley ride.

Pictured above: after eating a delicious lunch at the Lunch Box
in Panama City the group walks to the trolley stop.

Pictured above: looking for the trolley stop.

Pictured above: the group walking to the trolley stop.

Pictured above : Waiting for the trolley in the shade.

Pictured above: And still waiting for the trolley

Leia Mais…

2009 Summer Transition Program

Pictured above: the group poses with "Dancing with the Stars" dancer Tony
Dovolani.

The 2009 Summer Transition Program officially started Monday June 15 in beautiful Panama City Beach. Eight students are participating this year from 6 northwest Florida counties: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Calhoun, and Bay. The group got situated and toured the grounds of the Laguna Beach Christian Resort. Later in the day they visited Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Panama City for ballroom dance lessons.

Tuesday morning the group was awakened by the delicious smell of eggs, grits, biscuits, and sausage which had been prepared by one of the students. Cynthia Lyons, a counselor with the Florida Division of Blind Services, gave a wonderful presentation on Government today. Afterwards, the teenagers prepared their lunch and then visited the pool until it was time for their next dance lesson.

Today when the group went to Fred Astaire Dance Studio they had a surprise awaiting: "Dancing with the Stars" veteran Tony Dovolani was there and was nice enough to take some pictures and sign autographs.

The students have another exciting day planned tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Pictured above: the students introduce themselves.

Pictured above: DBS counselors and IB West staff hang out.

Pictured above: Getting ready to go in Fred Astaire for dance

lessons.

Pictured above: Ms. Alicia and Erin dancing.

Pictured above: the students dancing.

Pictured above: Alex, Cassie, Katie, and Darreck dancing.

Pictured above: more dancing at Fred Astaire.

Pictured above: the group enjoys a delicious breakfast.

Pictured above: Erin leaving the house.

Pictured above: Alicia, Megan, Erin, and Katie getting ready to

go to the classroom.

Pictured above: Jody and Cassie getting some orientation and mobility
instruction from IB West counselor Mr. Hulrick.

Pictured above: Erin and Megan.

Pictured above: The group awaiting DBS Counselor Mrs. Lyons.

Pictured above: Mrs. Lyons discussing government.

Pictured above: Mr. Hulrick and Ms. Mary in the classroom.

Pictured above: another classroom lesson picture.

Pictured above and below: the group listen to Mrs. Lyons.

Pictured above: Jody, Alex, Mr. John, Justin, and Ms. Elaine

enjoying the pool.

Pictured above: Megan cooking banana pudding, YUMMY!

Pictured above: Megan, Erin, and Alex discussing the group

project.

Pictured above: Mr. John and Darreck enjoying a daily living skills

lesson, cooking spaghetti.

Pictured above: The group getting ready for their next dance lesson.

Pictured above: Tony Dovoloni with his number one fan,

IB West instructor Mia.

Pictured above and below: Dancing at Fred Astaire.

Pictured above and below: More dancing at Fred Astaire.

Pictured above and below: Dancing at Fred Astaire.

Pictured above and below: Enjoying dancing at Fred Astaire.

Leia Mais…