Via Teen Program Receives Rider‐Pool Grant
December 9, 2008

BETHLEHEM, PA – Via of the Lehigh Valley received a $2,000 grant from the Rider‐Pool Foundation for its teen program, Focus On You. This program provides teens and young adults, who have a wide range of special needs, with educational, vocational and recreational activities in the community.

Young people want to be connected to friends and family, and learn, work, and be respected for their choices. The teen years are critical to developing the social skills and peer networks that lead to success in young adult life, career development and independence.

“There is no other program like this for teens with disabilities in the Lehigh Valley,” said Jolene Fetherman, Via’s Focus On You Coordinator.

“Focus On You helps students develop life skills that they need as they make the transition from high school to adult life. They learn about their community, they do career shadowing and mock interviews with HR reps from companies like Olympus and Martin Guitar, and they volunteer at organizations across the Lehigh Valley.”

Via partners with more than 75 employers and 42 local agencies and educational institutions and mentors teens in inclusive learning activities, educational opportunities, attending, recreational activities with their peers, job sampling, completing career interest inventories, job shadowing and resume preparation.

Focus on You assists teens and their families in setting and achieving individual goals in their community. It engages the community in developing awareness of special needs teens and making opportunities available to them in inclusive settings.

Funding to support this program must come through a combination of grants and private pay from families.

Via of the Lehigh Valley is a non‐profit human service agency that provides services for children and adults with disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome. Serving the community since 1954, Via’s staff help individuals and Creating Success Every Day 336 West Spruce Street ! Bethlehem, PA 18018 610-317-8000 ! fax 610-317-0759 ViaNet.org ! Via@ViaNet.org families from birth through retirement focusing in Children’s Services, Community Connections and Employment.

Via works with children up to age three in their homes and daycares to address disabilities and delays. Via finds jobs in the community for adults and provides coaching and training for successful employment. And Via helps people, from teens to those at retirement age, connect and live in their community by volunteering, participating in leisure activities, and finding or purchasing affordable, accessible housing. Via fosters and advocates the concept of inclusion and choice within schools, neighborhoods and communities, personal relationships, and employment. Via believes that personal satisfaction and dignity are achieved through individual success and independence and is committed to helping people live full and productive lives. Visit ViaNet.org to learn more about Via’s services.

For more information, contact:
Lisa Walkiewicz, Communications Director
L.Walkiewicz@vianet.org | 484-893-5390