Registration for our summer in-person Connect program session is now open! Click the link below for more information and get ready to join us for the entire month of June as we kick off our Keep Kids Connected Summer Campaign!
Author: Jessica Leone
 News from IMAGE Teen and Young Adult Programs May 2022 Highlights Congratulations to our 2022 Student of the Year Ciara Gentry  IMAGE: Student of the Year Ciara Gentry speaking into a microphone alongside IMAGE Staff Amanda Taylor on stage during the Solutions Celebration. Congratulations to Ms. Ciara Gentry for her acceptance of the 2022 Student of the Year award at this years Solutions celebration. Since participating in IMAGE teen and young adult programs Ciara has served not only as a program participant, but as a peer mentor and role model for her peers. We are so proud of you and your growth toward success and independence Ciara! |
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In-Person Programming Plan of Action
COVID-19 Coronavirus & Contagious Virus In-Person Programming Plan of Action
Teen and Young Adult Service Programs
Updated for all teen and young adult in person programming through September 2022.
The IMAGE Center is acting to keep staff and consumers safe to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other contagious viruses easily spread through our community.
Here’s how we’re doing our part:
Follow our Leaders. We follow all State guidance related to education-based activities, including reopening actions and face covering requirements on the State of Maryland for reopening advisements and Governor’s orders.
Flexible scheduling. In-person and virtual program options will remain available.
Reduce contamination risk. Program materials will be sanitized prior to and after program use.
Before you join us in person, please:
Monitor your health and interactions.
Join us online instead if you have:
Cough, shortness of breath, fever, or any other symptoms of COVID-19 or other contagious viruses.
Recent exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or other contagious viruses.
Staff will perform temperature checks upon arrival. Students with a temperature of 100+ will not be permitted to participate and will need to provide a negative PCR COVID test to return to programming. Students with seasonal allergies should not attend programs if symptoms cannot be remedied with over the counter or prescribed medications. Students will not be permitted to participate if they exhibit symptoms.
Prepare and pack. Bring a backpack with items you will need for the duration of the program including: water, a snack, beach towel, sunscreen and writing or communication device.
Take precaution. Hand sanitation will be provided for check-in, transitions and check-out.
Respect personal space. Activities will be designed with respect for social distancing and mindful spacing.
Talk about it. Please contact us at youthservices@imagemd.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Peer Mentor Spotlight
IMAGE: Peer Mentor looking over a paper and holding a pencil as a teen program participant looks on.
Peer Mentor Application is CLOSED!
Applications for students wishing to become Peer Mentors for the Spring session of the Connect program are now CLOSED.
Interested in applying for Summer Peer Mentorship? Email Jessica Leone for upcoming application windows.
Questions? Email Jessica Leone at Jleone@imagemd-org
Celebrating Fearless Moments
IMAGE: Five young women posing together in front of a store front smiling and holding shopping bags.
Fearlessly Ciara, Karissa, Rebecca, Tamari and Sam~
While every teen and young adult program at IMAGE is designed to strengthen connections among peers, one of our greatest goals is for program participants to begin making connections eventually on their own. Most times the thought of making those connections can be scary and overwhelming, but these five amazing ladies have learned to be fearless in their life choices. Ciara, Karissa, Rebecca, Tamari and Sam have all spent much time with us at IMAGE throughout the years as they continue to explore their young adult lives so imagine our joy when this image came through to our inbox with the words “”I thought you would be proud of us”. “I am proud of us”. To see these five ladies continue to build their social connections and their community connections together outside of our programs is the absolute goal that we strive for at IMAGE. Thank you for sharing with us your time together ladies! We are always proud of you and can’t wait to see where you go next!
Here is to being FEARLESSLY you today!
Have a fearless moment to share? Email Jess Leone at jleone@imagemd.org
Upcoming Events
The Connect Program
Spring Connect has ended. Stay tuned for summer registration!
Contact jleone@imagemd.org learn more.
PreETS Self Awareness and Self Advocacy Training Program in collaboration with DORS
What does your child have planned this summer?
Join the IMAGE CenterFriday, July 22nd from 10-3pm at Harford Community Collegefor a day of self-advocacy, connections and fun.
This free event will include self-awareness and self-advocacy curriculum-based activities, guest speakers, pizza lunch and hands on lessons designed to engage students in building connections with both themselves and their peers while on the HCC campus.
IMPORTANT Registration requirements: Students must be referred by DORS to attend this training. Please see information below for training curriculum, eligibility and obtaining a referral.
Already been referred by DORS and contacted by The IMAGE Center for this training?
Click here to Register
REFERRED APPLICANTS ONLY! See below if your child has not yet been referred for this training.
Self Awareness and Self Advocacy (SASA) Training is a collaborative partnership program between The IMAGE Center and The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS).
What benefit does this training provide?
● Empowerment for teens and young adults to explore skills of self awareness and self advocacy as they relate to either college preparation or vocational exploration.
● Information on disability disclosure, rights and accommodations related to college bound and career bound students.
● Personalized goal setting and skill building in relation to increased independent living. ● Student and family resources for all future outcomes.
Who is eligible for this FREE training? students enrolled in a secondary school (including home school or other alternative secondary education program), post-secondary education program, or other recognized educational program and has not exited, graduated, or withdrawn; students at least 14 years old but less than age 22 students have a disability documented with an IEP, 504 plan, medical records, or a doctor’s note.
To learn more about SASA training please contact: Jessica Leone, Director for Teen and Young Adult Services at The IMAGE Center 443-275-9396 or jleone@imagemd.org
All registrants will need a direct referral from DORS to get started:
Already connected with a DORS counselor? Contact your counselor directly and ask for a referral for the PreETS Training provided by The
IMAGE Center. Not yet connected with DORS? Simply follow the link to request a referral. A case file for referral will be created for you and you
should be contacted by DORS within 10 days. https://dors.maryland.gov/consumers/Pages/referral.aspx
News from IMAGE Teen and Young Adult Programs March 2022
Highlights
Solutions 22 is right around the corner, and we want to make it a special evening. Join us as we honor our Volunteers and Partners & Celebrate four decades of innovation of service to people with disabilities. Friday evening, April 29th.
Cylburn Arboretum
4915 Greenspring Ave – 21209
There will also be livestream participation.
Save the Date!
Scan the QR Code or Click Below to Register for the Event.
Click Here to Register
Alt Text: April 29th Solutions 22. Older black and white image of three people looking off in the same direction. Second image is of a young man riding a specialized bike, wearing a helmet.
Open to: Maryland Students with disabilities in their last two years of high school
Cost: The forum is FREE for all of our participants
Date: June 23 rd to 25 th 2022
Location: Towson University
Deadline to apply: DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 29th!
Interviews: Danielle Bustos, Maryland Youth Leadership Coordinator will contact applicants
about scheduling interviews.
About Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)
Learn about assistive technology and how it can help gain independence
Participate in the YLF Paint Night, Build Self Advocacy Skill poetry, and other social
activities.
Meet people with disabilities who serve various roles in the community.
Learn about the legislative process and advocacy.
Meet alumni and other students from the state of Maryland.
Meet Your State representatives.
For more information contact, Danielle Bustos at 240-898-2189/ dbustos@innow.org
or Shannon Minnick at 240-638-0070/sminnick@innow.org
Peer Mentor Spotlight
Peer Mentor Application is CLOSED!
Applications for students wishing to become Peer Mentors for the Spring session of the Connect program are now CLOSED.
Interested in applying for Peer Mentorship? Email Jessica Leone for upcoming application windows.
Questions? Email Jessica Leone at Jleone@imagemd.org
| Celebrating Fearless Moments |
| Calling all Students, Parents, Family Members, Service Providers and Care Givers! Do you have a fearless moment that you want to share? We love celebrating the accomplishments of our young consumers in every aspect of their lives, not just within our programs here at IMAGE. We want to hear from you! Message your fearless moment to Jessica Leone at jleone@imagemd.org and type “Fearless Moment” in the subject line. You might be featured in our next monthly newsletter. Here is to being FEARLESSLY you today! |
Upcoming Events
The Connect Program
Registering now for our virtual sessions!
Mar. 1 Mar. 15 Mar. 29 Apr. 12 Apr. 26 May 10
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.
Click here to Register
PreETS Self Awareness and Self Advocacy Training Program
Registration are filling up fast for our next session beginning in June!
Want to be referred for this program? Contact Jessica Leone jleone@imagemd.org for 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.
Support Youth Programs at The IMAGE Center
http://weblink.donorperfect.com/ConnectatIMAGE
Categories
Mar 22 Teen and Young Adult Newsletter
News from IMAGE Teen and Young Adult Programs March 2022 Highlights Solutions 22 is right around the corner, and we want to make it a special evening. Join us as we honor our Volunteers and Partners & Celebrate four decades of innovation of service to people with disabilities. Friday evening, April 29th. Cylburn Arboretum 4915 Greenspring Ave – 21209 There will also be livestream participation. Save the Date! Scan the QR Code or Click Below to Register for the Event. Click Here to Register |
Cost: The forum is FREE for all of our participants
Date: June 23 rd to 25 th 2022
Location: Towson University
Deadline to apply: Please get applications in ASAP
Interviews: Danielle Bustos, Maryland Youth Leadership Coordinator will contact applicants
about scheduling interviews.
About Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)
Learn about assistive technology and how it can help gain independence
Participate in the YLF Paint Night, Build Self Advocacy Skill poetry, and other social
activities.
Meet people with disabilities who serve various roles in the community.
Learn about the legislative process and advocacy.
Meet alumni and other students from the state of Maryland.
Meet Your State representatives.
For more information contact, Danielle Bustos at 240-898-2189/ dbustos@innow.org
or Shannon Minnick at 240-638-0070/sminnick@innow.org
Peer Mentor Spotlight
| Peer Mentor Application is CLOSED! Applications for students wishing to become Peer Mentors for the Spring session of the Connect program are now CLOSED. Interested in applying for Peer Mentorship? Email Jessica Leone for upcoming application windows. Questions? Email Jessica Leone at Jleone@imagemd.org |
Celebrating Fearless Moments
FEARLESSLY Julia
Fearless Moment Highlight from Instructional Support Specialist Ms. Amanda Taylor ~
“Julia Kirk has been a participant of our teen and young adult programs for many years, and she recently returned to participate in our Connect Program. Her progress has been outstanding, and she demonstrates a fearless attitude during each of our group sessions! Julia is always eager to speak up and answer questions in group discussions. She doesn’t mind being the first to answer, and she shows the rest of the group members that it’s ok to speak up and share your thoughts. She serves as a role model for others by having a positive attitude toward learning and participating. She also shows encouragement to her peers, and she provides support when she is interacting with the group by showing empathy and understanding. We think Julia does a wonderful job of showing us how to be fearless”!
Here is to being FEARLESSLY you today!
Upcoming Events
The Connect Program
Registering now for our virtual sessions!
Mar. 1Mar. 15Mar. 29Apr. 12Apr. 26May 10
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.
Click here to Register
PreETS Self Awareness and Self Advocacy Training Program
Registration now open for sessions through May!
Want to be referred for this program?Contact Jessica Leone jleone@imagemd.org for 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.
Support Youth Programs at The IMAGE Center
http://weblink.donorperfect.com/ConnectatIMAGE