Take Charge with Confidence and Self-Reliance

Month: July 2020

  • How we held our first Juneteenth celebration

    by

    Dan Burke

    Two young Black men wearing COVID masks and holding white canes stand under leafy trees.

    Two young Black men wearing COVID masks and holding white canes stand under leafy trees.Last month we celebrated Juneteenth for the first time at the center, thanks to a request made by two of our students, Q and James, shown left to right above.

    James is from Georgia and wanted to have a Juneteenth celebration because the day is celebrated back home. Julie readily agreed. Barbecue being the traditional way to celebrate, James determined to grill up burgers and brats for the entire center, with delicious baked beans and corn on the cob, of course. Home Management Instructor Dishon Spears gave him lots of support. Then In philosophy, we read the Emancipation Proclamation and Q led a discussion of its continued importance to Black Americans.… Read the rest “How we held our first Juneteenth celebration”

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  • We’re in NFB Convention Mode, Virtually! #NFB20

    by

    Dan Burke

    Bishoy and Mark listening to NFB2020 Convention

    Every summer we pack ourselves up, staff, ITP students and summer students, and head out to the National Federation of the Blind convention, wherever that may be – Orlando, Dallas, Las Vegas. This year it was going to be in Houston. It often proves to be one of the most important learning experiences for our blind students during their time in training.

    But this isn’t every summer. It isn’t just any summer. We don’t even have any summer youth this year. And the NFB convention for 2020 is a virtual one. For those of us who have gone to the NFB convention for years, it is bittersweet.… Read the rest “We’re in NFB Convention Mode, Virtually! #NFB20”

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  • Giving Back – A Tribute to Robert Dyson

    by

    Dan Burke

    Robert is serving as a judge for the student “Chopped” contest

    By Julie Deden

    For the past 16 years when you called the Center, you would talk to Robert. His welcoming voice was the hallmark of the Center and our NFB office.  Shortly after the first of the year, Robert let us know that he’d decided to move to Canon City to be close to his family. He had planned to leave at the end of April, and we hadn’t even made a public announcement. And then the center had to close down daily operations due to COVID-19. As we all shifted to working from home and daily Zoom calls, Robert took to the phone and began calling our most recent alumni to see how they were faring under the new, extreme conditions.… Read the rest “Giving Back – A Tribute to Robert Dyson”

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