2014 Transition Boot Camp Touted as Best One Yet!

The 2014 Transition Boot Camp event held at the Sharonville Convention Center on Friday, September 19th was widely proclaimed as the “best one yet” by the interested attendees. The day-long conference welcomed more than 200 teachers, students, families and professionals who listened to presentations that covered all aspects of planning for transition from school to the adult world.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased to be a Gold Sponsor for the 4th annual Transition Boot Camp which was actually held at the organization’s headquarters in 2013. “The generous grant from the Rubinstein Foundation allowed the Transition event to grow this year and welcome more guests,” said Dr. Ilka Riddle, Chairperson for the planning committee, UC UCEDD.

Presentation topics included employment, education, healthcare, housing, transportation, recreation as well as future planning. The keynote address was provided by Megan McCormick, advocate and Carolyn Wheeler, UKy, and set the tone for the entire event. In Megan’s address, she noted that one of her primary goals for her transition planning process was to become a “value-added citizen;” employed and living independently in the community.

One of the most popular parts of the Transition Boot Camp was the vendor fair which took place during the lunchtime portion of the program. More than 35 vendors filled the ballroom offering the  chance for attendees to speak directly with agency representatives.

The Boot Camp will be followed by a series of “booster” sessions over the next year which will offer interested people with the opportunity to find out more about a topic of particular interest. Ohio Valley Goodwill will kick off the booster sessions on Tuesday, October 7th at its headquarters from 6-8 pm, with a presentation on employment in partnership with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. Registration on-line is available at http://goo.gl/w1Ttqx.