VIDBE-Q 2025 Volume 70 Issue 3
EMPOWER VI staff, adult (age 18+) B/LV mentors are matched one-to-one with
youth (juniors or seniors in high school) who are B/LV. Mentors draw upon their
lived experience and expertise to encourage mentees in navigating their
postsecondary goals. During the program, Mentors and Mentees meet monthly
over Microsoft Teams from August to May.
Early data from our pilot year indicate that all Mentees were able to work
toward their goals. For example, two mentees—both high school seniors—set a
goal of attending college. Both applied and were accepted to the college of their
choice and took additional steps to set themselves up for success (e.g., applying for
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, learning to live in an apartment). Other
Mentees had the goal of learning more about the transition process. One, for
instance, wanted to understand Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).
After discussing Pre-ETS with her Mentor, she approached VR and successfully
arranged Pre-ETS services in her school. Recruitment for the Mentorship program
occurs every spring and early summer. If you are interested in joining the program
next year or know a student who would qualify and might benefit from being
matched with an adult mentor, make sure to visit the mentorship page on our
website to learn more (www.empowervi.org/mentorship).
Communities of Practice (CoPs)
