Charlie Colby Promoted to Junior Counselor!

Charlie Colby was a child when she began attending weekend and summer programs at Via West Campus, where the swimming pool and the dance floor were her favorite places. Over the years, Charlie moved up to adult programs and began serving as a great role model for other individuals with disabilities.

In October 2011, she joined other friends in the first Counselor-in-Training Program at Via West. After serving faithfully as a CIT volunteer for weekend programs during the school year, Charlie has been promoted to a Junior Counselor. She will be joining summer staff for training at the end of May. Go, Charlie!!

Welcome Back Nurses!

The summer of 2012 marks the fourth year of the Via West Summer Nurse Internship Program that began with a generous grant from The Valley Foundation. Over the course of 11 weeks, ten nursing students and new graduate nurses from San Jose State and San Diego State will complete a community health nursing curriculum focused on the specific needs of children, teens and adults with developmental and physical disabilities. In addition to providing an extra layer of care for participants with medical issues, the internship serves as a mechanism to increase the pool of nurses who are comfortable and competent meeting the special needs of our population.

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Via Services is looking for a volunteer photographer to take photos during our summer programs for children and adults with special needs at our Via West Campus in Cupertino. This is a part time position requiring a commitment of 20 hours per week. The schedule may vary throughout the summer.  Please note that this internship/volunteer opportunity may be “job shared" – and each person can take half of the commitment.  If you are interested volunteering for this position, please contact Leslie Davis at ldavis@viaservices.org.

Fun Events for Bay Area Special Needs Families

This is a great week for special needs events in the Bay Area. Check out some of the fun things that you and your family can do together:

Friday, March 30, 2012

Michael Jackson Night!!! (from the College of Adaptive Arts)

Concert and Fashion Show!!! (from the Special Needs Ministry)

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Walk for Thought San Jose!!! (from the Brain Injury Association of California)

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Spring Talent Show!!! (from the Magic Makers Band)

Ava Romero Promoted from Junior Counselor to Counselor!

After serving faithfully as a junior counselor at Via West for the past few years, Ava Romero has been promoted to a regular counselor. Ava, a gourmet chef and former participant at Via West, has worked hard and attended training programs to solidify her skills in terms of personal care and personal highlights. Go, Ava!

World Down Syndrome Day

From our friends at DSRTF:

In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, plus15 wants you to help show how an increase in cognition could make a difference in the life of your child with Down syndrome. To add your pin to their world map, email your first name, city/state, and a short description of what a 15% increase in cognition would mean for your child with Down syndrome. You can also share your information on facebook.

Find out more here!

New Counselors-in-Training spend the weekend at Via West

While many young adults spent the sunny morning of Saturday, February 4 playing sports or just hanging around, a dedicated group of four participants came to Via West Campus to learn how to be Counselors-in-Training (CITs). Julie Paulson, a former CIT who is now a junior counselor, helped associate director Sandy Keefe describe the CIT role, discuss the rules for CITs and role play some scenarios to prepare for their volunteer duties.

The new CITs will be paired up with counselors or program staff members during children’s sessions, serving as assistants, role models, coaches and cheerleaders. Congratulations to Tony Lawton, Joe Ellison, Kelsey Alley and Erin O’Connell.

From left to right—Tony Lawton, Erin O’Connell, Sandy Keefe, Julie Paulson and Kelsey Alley, with Joe Ellison kneeling in front of the group