Career Fair	Self Awareness Activities
Developing a Plan for the Future	D.E.A.F. Awards
Deaf Awards winners
Establishing life-long friendships Meredith Crane with mentors For the first time, 10 mentors participated in our 5 'Making a Difference with Your Future' workshop. These mentors were graduate of either our 'Making a Difference with Your Future' or 'On Road to Your Future' programs or both. All mentors were either employed full-time or pursuing their dreams of a college educated. Their role as mentor included: *promoting high self esteem *support academic achievement *supporting and encouraging healthy choices *listening to the students and parents This mentorship opportunity was truly a highlight for the students, parents and mentors and will be repeated for the 2008 workshop.

Biennial conference helps teens, parents learn what it takes to make a difference In photos (clockwise from top left), college students present on the importance of education and their own journey toward careers; high school participants discuss their goals and next step; RSC counselors touch base between sessions;parents listen to a presentation on accessing resources. Deaf Initiatives welcomed 37 students and their parents/guardians from all over Ohio to "Making a Difference with Your Future," a weekend event to help youth who are deaf and hard of hearing transition from high school to post secondary education or work. The fifth biennial workshop occurred Sept. 22-24 at the Columbus Marriott Northwest, and guidance shared ranged from interviewing techniques and proper work ethics to simply advising students to eat right and get some sleep while at college. Workshops invited students to begin career planning and connected them to resources in a fun and productive environment. The keynote speaker was Dr. Gerry Buckely from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID). Participating mentors included young adults who are pursuing their dreams, and vocational preparation experts from the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, the Ohio Department of Education and NTID. More than 65 percent of the families who attended are from rural areas. Many didn't know any other deaf or hard of hearing people, so it was an opportunity to meet with other students and parents experiencing similar life issues. For more information about future workshops, contact Meredith Crane at 614-238-3323, 1-800-985-3323 v/TTY, theDEAFund@aol.com or visit www.deafinitiatives.org.

The September 2006 transition weekend attracted 37 students and their parents/guardian from around Ohio. To date over 150 families have participated in this weekend event. Individuals who purchased a scholarship for the student, their parent/guardian is participate in additional to corporate donations. We want to thank the many individuals that have generally donated to our scholarship program. Without their support, many families throughout Ohio would not be able to participate.

Comments from Participants:
          "My name is Jennifer Woodburn and my daughter was a participant of your making a difference conference in 2004.I wanted you to know this conference was extremely helpful to Jenna. Jenna was the winner of your future award and she is really getting a wonderful start to her future. Jenna is a freshman at Gallaudet University. She is having a remarkable year also. I always worried about her leaving me for college because of how close Jenna and I are. Jenna went to Zanesville High School for her education in that districts hearing impaired program. Jenna mainstreamed out for everything but she remained in that program even though it was a 40-mile trip one way everyday, mainly because she needed the socialization. Our situation was unique again because of the fact that I was the one who interpreted for Jenna in her high school years. I worked hard at encouraging her independence and with Jenna’s maturity level she never complained about the fact that she had to see her mother in her high school classes.
          The main reason I am writing you is to let you know that while at your conference Henna got to see the Gallaudet Dancers perform and last fall upon entering Gally Jenna tried out for the dance team. Jenna was accepted to the team and this is only one of her many successes at Gallaudet.
          I want to thank you very much for the difference you have made in Jenna's life. I am encouraging all of our Zanesville students to attend the 2006 conference. Again Thank-you."
- Parent

"This workshop allowed me to believe totally in the notion that deaf people can do anything a hearing person can, moreover I now have the resources and contacts to make this a reality. I am just so grateful I had the opportunity to be a part of it."
- Guardian

"I really enjoyed being here. I had so much fun and looking forward to come back."
- Student

"All the information and the contact resources! I look forward to take this book back to our school and sharing with others."
-Student

"I learned many things - there are many resoucres out there that people don't even know about. It helped to reinforce the information I learned at the last workshop."
-Student

"The workshop was wonderful! My daughter and I spent some quality time together and learned so much and met some wonderful parents with the same concerns as myself. Thank you to all involved for the wonderful workshop."
- Parent

We would like to especially thank the individuals and corporations who support the 2006 Making a Difference with your Future. The Steering Committee included representatives from:

	• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •	The Buckeye Ranch Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Columbus Hearing Impaired Program Columbus Public Schools Columbus Speech and Hearing Center Columbus State Community College CSD of Ohio Deaf Initiatives Deaf Services Center Dorothy E. Ann Fund of The Columbus Foundation Findlay City Schools Franklin County Education Service Center Gallaudet University Hearing Loss Education National Technical Institute for the Deaf Ohio Alliance of Community Centers for the Deaf Ohio Association of the Deaf Ohio Department of Education Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission Ohio School for the Deaf Parents of youth who are deaf and hard of hearing Past workshop participants
Lead Sponsors include:
	• • •	Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission Ohio Department of Education National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Key Sponsors included:
	• • • •	Abercrombie & Fitch Advocates for Kids Crane Plastics Company Porter Stark Family Fund of The Columbus Foundation

In addition to the corporate donations, we want to thank the many individuals that have generously donated to our scholarship sponsor program. Without their support, many families throughout Ohio would not be able to participate.
Click here to see complete list of sponsors and in kind donations for all our initiatives.

© 2007 Deaf Initiatives