Learn, Earn, and Prosper

LEAP

LEAP provides blind and visually impaired youth virtual and in-person programming opportunities to gain the skills needed to become independent, confident, and productive with the outcome of increased employability.

Training includes:

Upcoming

Programming Opportunities

Fall Retreat

LEAP is looking forward to our Fall Retreat taking place October 11 – 13! We will be celebrating White Cane Day in Burlington, VT. 

Please contact Meagan Gallo at [email protected] with questions

Fall Virtual Programs

LEAP is looking forward to our Fall Virtual programs taking place October 21 – December 6. 

Offerings will include:

  • Virtual Work-Based Learning: A paid work experience with a focus on marketing.
  • My Voice, My Future: An unpaid workshop series with a focus on self-advocacy.
  • Coding Crash Course: Brand new this fall, participants will learn coding basics!

Please contact Hannah Peach at [email protected] with questions

LEAP Virtual

LEAP’s virtual program was innovated during COVID and has successfully continued to build connection and community for young blind and visually impaired people across the country.

LEAP Residential

LEAP’s Residential Program transforms the lives of visually impaired and blind youth through specialized workshops, independent living skills development, social connections, and career readiness in a supportive residential setting.

Get paid, make friends, have fun!

Learn about LEAP!

LEAP offers a unique opportunity for youth with visual impairments to acquire essential skills for both life and work. Our program is designed to nurture independence, ensuring every participant emerges ready to take on the world with newfound confidence.

LEAP provides pre-employment transition services to blind and visually impaired youth ages 14 – 22. Services include a variety of virtual and in-person, overnight programming. 

Blind and visually impaired youth ages 14-22 who are looking to challenge themselves, make friends, and gain work experience. 

Connect with your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor before applying. 

Student Testimonials

Find out what our past LEAPsters have said about their time at LEAP!

Residential Program

“What I enjoyed the most was meeting everybody; they were so nice and helpful. I also enjoyed working with other blind and visually impaired folks. I wasn’t the only one with a disability. It was just a great experience all in all.”

“I enjoyed being part of the community and sought the support of my peers and friends.”

“Working at the cafe was very successful because my goals were achieved, and it created an opportunity for a job in the future. I also really enjoyed working with food and customers”

“The most enjoyable part of my worksite was being able to be outside and getting to know new people”

Virtual Program

“I got to accomplish a dream I’ve always had to make video games and I’ve finally done it (with the help of others of course)”

“I really enjoyed having the opportunity to be a leader and cultivate leadership skills. I also really enjoyed learning from and collaborating with the other students.”

“To be honest, I enjoyed my whole LEAP experience but the one thing I enjoyed the most was making meaningful connections, sharing experiences that I had with an assignment each week within my small group, and being able to lead our last Friday Round Up.”

A smiling individual with visual impairment is featured prominently in the foreground, navigating a brick-paved sidewalk with a white cane. They are wearing yellow-tinted glasses, a dark blue hoodie with the 'LEAP' logo in gold, denim jeans, and black sneakers with white soles. A water bottle in a holder and a small pouch are attached to their belt loop. In the softly focused background, there are several people who appear to be part of a group or public event, suggesting a communal outdoor setting.
LEAP Connect

LEAP Connect is a new project to help students enhance their assistive technology and digital skills through in person and virtual training, career exploration, and mentoring. Stay tuned as we introduce exciting new opportunities, experienced partners, and fun projects for students to learn, earn and prosper while becoming more tech savvy and connected to their digital worlds.

BEP is a proud partner of LEAP

Business Enterprise Program

In 1936 the Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. Section 107 et seq.) established the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program, more commonly known as the Business Enterprise Program (BEP). Here in Vermont, the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) is the state licensing agency administering this program. BEP is a self employment program. The federal and state laws governing this program require that candidates are to be legally blind, a U.S. Citizen, and must complete our training program.
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Licensed Operators are trained to run one of DBVI’s food service facilities as self-employed entrepreneurs, keeping 100% of the profits! Our facilities consist of cafe and vending machine operations, located in federal and state building throughout Vermont. Qualified candidates are assigned to facilities as they become available.

For more information contact:

Pam Schirner
BEP Program Director
[email protected]
802.233.2338

Get in Touch

Contact Us

We’re here to help! Whether you have questions, need more information, or want to share your feedback, please feel free to reach out to us.

Relay Service

Dial: 711

Instagram:

@learnearnandprosper

DBVI-logo

LEAP:

Kaelyn Modrak

LEAP Program Manager
[email protected]
(802) 777-1921

Michelle Gates

LEAP Connect Project Director
[email protected]
802-999-5369

Sarah Kirby

LEAP Program Coordinator
[email protected]
(847) 354-0450

Hannah Peach

LEAP Virtual Developer
[email protected]
(802) 598-2138

BEP:

Pam Schirner

BEP Program Director
[email protected]
(802) 233-2338

Schedule a Donation Pick-up

Thank you for thinking of ReSOURCE for donations of your furniture and large appliances! We are proud to offer pick-up services in Chittenden County and Central Vermont. 

802.857.4345

802.477.7800

802.851.8333 ext 13

FAQs

What is Career Start?

Career Start is a program designed for high school students to gain hands-on experience and technical skills in various departments at ReSOURCE’s Burlington or Barre locations.

High school students enrolled in school are eligible to participate in the Career Start program.

The program provides hands-on experience in ReSOURCE departments, technical skills training, and monthly personal and professional development classes.

There is a fee of $1500, but tuition is waived for qualifying Vermonters.

Departments include Customer Service & Retail, Office Administration, Computers and Electronics, Overlook Cafe, and Large Appliances, among others.

Yes, students earn a monthly stipend

Training covers Health and Wellness, Goal Setting and Achievement, Leadership Development, Career Planning, and Financial Literacy.

Interested individuals should contact ReSOURCE’s Training and Development Manager, Susan Uthmann, for enrollment details.

Interested?

Please contact:

Susan Uthmann
Training and Development Manager
[email protected]
802.857.4340

Partner Agency List

Our partners help us to provide $125,000 worth of goods to over 2,000 individuals/families in Chittenden, Lamoille, and Washington Counties, and the greater Vermont area.

  • Addison Community Action/CVOEO
  • Age Well
  • Agency of Human Services- Field Services Burlington District
  • Burlington Community Justice Center
  • Burlington Housing Authority
  • Chittendent Community Action/CVOEO
  • Clarina Howard Nichols Center
  • Committee On Temporary Shelter
  • Essex Community Justice Center
  • Howard Center Community Support Program
  • Howard Center Developmental Services
  • Howard Center School Service Program
  • Lamoille Family Center
  • Milton Family Community Center
  • Pathways Vermont- Housing First Program
  • Pathways Vermont -services for veterans and families rapid rehousing program
  • ReSOURCE
  • Safe Harbor Clinic
  • Spectrum Youth and Family Services
  • Steps to End Domestic Violence
  • The Janet S. Munt Family Room
  • U.S. Committee for refugees and Immigrants
  • U.S. Committee for refugees and Immigrants
  • Vermont Cares
  • Vermont Catholic Charities
  • Vermont Foundation of Recovery

 

Become a Partner Agency

For interest in joining our program please email [email protected] to learn more about the next application cycle or any availability in become a new partner agency.

We make award decisions each December for the next calendar year and notify partners so our clients can request vouchers.

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