Youth Transition Summer Workshop

A free, weeklong summer workshop from 10am to 4pm designed to empower youth (16-24 years) living with a disability. This experience will provide you with the tools, self-confidence, and social support to get a job, go to a 2 or 4 year college, and live independently in your community. Youth with 504 plans are encouraged to apply.

Essential topics explored during the week include:

• Accommodations and assistive technology advocacy
• Financial aid and financial literacy
• Interview skills and resume building

Many young people, prior to workshop participation, are uncomfortable identifying with the disability community, or do not acknowledge having a disability. Upon completion of the conference, youth have displayed personal growth in their own confidence, self-image, and motivation to succeed. Our participants have gone on to secure employment and enter the workforce, while others have gone on to pursue post-secondary education.

• Free workshop, with lunch provided!
• Request an application before Monday, June 1st.
• Email leahv@cfisouth.org for more information, or call the number below.

For more information, call 253-582-1253, ext. 5

Program details

Time	All Day
Activity	Academic
Cost	FREE
Grade	9—12
Dates	Jul 13—Jul 17
Days	Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Location	Center for Independence 7801 Bridgeport Way W. Suite 200, Lakewood, WA Tacoma, WA 98499

Center for Independence

<p> Center for Independence (CFI), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, serves people with all disabilities to become as independent as possible. CFI is one of many Centers for Independent Living (CILs); these non-residential, community-based organizations are designed and operated by professionals living with disabilities. CILs emphasize self-determination and consumer control, a unique concept that sets CILs apart from the medical establishment. “…the idea that people with disabilities are the best experts on their own needs, having crucial and valuable perspective to contribute and deserving of equal opportunity to decide how to live…” <a href="http://www.ncil.org/about/aboutil/">http://www.ncil.org/about/aboutil/</a></p> <p> CFI provides independent living skills training, peer support, individual advocacy, and information and referral.  We serve 8 counties (Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, San Juan, South King, Pierce, and Thurston).  CFI’s Youth Transition Program consists of monthly youth peer support group events (ex. bowling, cooking, mini golf, volunteering) and working one-on-one with the youth to develop independent living goals and creating a plan on how to achieve those goals.  The goals vary depending on the individual’s abilities, needs, and desire.  Some examples include: learning how to budget, apply for benefits or other services such as SSI/SSDI, DDA, food stamps, ABE, COPES for caregiving services, etc., learning how to prepare for employment and college, how to disclose your disability, how to get around the community independently whether that’s learning how to ride the public bus, applying for shuttle services, or getting a driver’s license.  The youth learn how to advocate for themselves and navigate and utilize community resources.  We have two youth peer groups, one in Lakewood/Tacoma and one in Federal Way/Kent.  To access our services give us a call and someone will do a phone intake and then follow up by an appointment.</p> <p>  </p>

This map shows the program location. The site details are listed nearby in text.