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Teen Blog

News from IMAGE Teen and Young Adult Programs March, 2021

kids hold up their art work on zoom

Virtual Learning Done Different

At The IMAGE Center we have taken pride in our ability to continue program learning for our teens and young adults despite the COVID pandemic. While the world remains unsure we know that the most important thing is to continue to provide opportunities for growth and learning for our young people. Our virtual learning experiences are designed utilizing short bursts of curriculum correlated with interactive activities and break out sessions to keep students connected, engaged and learning. While we know that the world has had enough virtual learning we think it’s more important now than ever to ensure our families that we will continue to work to find the balance between safety and sanity in the learning of our teen and young adult communities. We invite you to learn more about our virtual programs and how we are making virtual learning different.

Peer Mentor Spotlight

Rebecca Parker

Teens working together at the library

A long time participant in IMAGE Teen and Young Adult programs Rebecca Parker became a natural fit as our first ever Connect Teen Mentor. Rebecca is kind and patient and knows first hand the benefit of working closely with peers. Here is what Rebecca had to say about being a Connect Teen Mentor.

My first time at the Image center was in 2016. I just graduated high school. The Connect Program was meeting at 510 Johnny’s. I knew two people there. Then in the summer we went golfing and did other outings. I rejoined them in the summer of 2017. I have been with IMAGE for about 4 years, almost 5 years now. My favorite memory at IMAGE is Golfing and doing yoga in the Connect Program. I realized I knew someone in the program since preschool, which was awesome and we reconnected. I like being a Peer Mentor because I love to help people and I love to make new friends. Peer mentorship is important because being a leader is a great example. I think peer mentorship helps teens with disabilities because I went through the program myself and know first hand. Teens can keep on doing the program and one day might become a peer mentor too.

Rebecca Parker

Upcoming Events

Teens at a pottery studio

The Connect Program

  • April 6th & 20th
  • May 4th & 18th
  • June 1st & 15th

The Connect Program is a program that empowers teens and young adults with disabilities to step outside of their comfort zone, make connections with their community, build social experiences and recognize and achieve skills needed for increased independence in adulthood. These skills include money management, time management, social and communication skills, personal hygiene, meal planning and decision making skills just to name a few.
Contact jleone@imagemd.org learn more.
Register here

PreETS Self Awareness and Self Advocacy Training Program

Notes on self advocacy

Monday and Wednesday sessions available. Email for additional registration information.

The Self Awareness & Self Advocacy Training program through DORS is a five week program utilizing curriculum designed to empower teens with disabilities to explore areas of self awareness and promote the importance of self advocacy to enhance the overall independence and vocational opportunity of each student. During this program students will work with professional staff from The IMAGE Center to begin to engage in curriculum addressing Self Awareness & Advocacy, Disclosing Disability, Rights, Future Outlook, Transition Outlook and Utilizing Resources.

Contact jleone@imagemd.org learn more.

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