A Whole New Experience for Teen’s with Disabilities
Via’s Teen Summer Experience
July 9, 2008

BETHLEHEM, PA – Via’s Teen Summer Experience for teens and young adults with disabilities kicked off earlier this month and promises to be an exciting and valuable experience for everyone involved.  This program helps young adults connect to their community through recreational, social, volunteer and educational activities to help prepare for adult life.

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

“Via’s Teen Summer Experience 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.”

Participants range in age from 14 and 21 years old and the program runs from June 16 to August 29, 2008.  Via’s Teen Summer Experience program will benefit from money raised in the upcoming Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH) Marathon for Via. 

The LVH Marathon for Via on Sunday, September 7, 2008 is a unique five-person team relay and individual run along a 26.2 mile course following the Lehigh River Canal Towpath through Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.  This year, a 5K walk and 20-mile training run for marathon runners have been added to encourage participants of all activity levels.

“Via’s Teen Summer Experience has been helping get the word out to the Lehigh Valley about the LVH Marathon by visiting businesses and asking them to display information about the event,” said Fetherman.

 “For the teens, this activity has a dual purpose.  It helps them develop communication skills, familiarizes them with the community and pushes them outside their comfort zone when it comes to interacting with new people.”

Highlighted activity: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 @ 9:15am
NorthStar Adventure Team Building Experience at Dutch Springs
4733 Hanoverville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020

NorthStar Adventure specializes in hands-on education and teaching.  Participants are guided through activities, including a low ropes course, that focus on communication, problem solving, team building, getting to know one another, trust, breaking out of comfort zones and fun.  Low ropes courses consist of a series of real and imaginary obstacles designed to challenge individuals to work together to accomplish a task.  Cooperative games, socialization activities, and ice-breakers are a fun activity designed to reduce inhibitions and break down barriers.

Via’s Teen Summer Experience Activities include:

• Job shadowing, visiting job sites and career exploration
• Volunteer work
• Recreational activities including swimming and sports
• Arts & Crafts
• Day trips (Martin Guitar, Crayola Factory, Eagles training Camp, etc.)

• 2nd Harvest Food Bank
• Crime Victims Council
• 3rd St. Alliance
• Rodale Farm
• Notre Dame Church
• Westminster Village
• St. Luke’s Hospital Day Camp
• Heartland Hospice
• Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Ungerer & Company
• Martin Guitar
• St. Luke’s Hospital
• Olympus
• Wegmans
• Coca Cola Factory
• Apple Bee’s
• Loopers

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 families from birth through retirement focusing in Children’s Services, Community Connections and Employment.  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