A Nonprofit Community Enterprise

Learn, Earn, and Prosper


Preparing blind and visually impaired youth for a brighter future by gaining life skills, work experience, and community involvement!

Learn, Earn, and Prosper (LEAP) provides blind or visually impaired youth the opportunity to gain the skills needed to become independent, confident, and productive with the outcome of increased employability.

Learn about LEAP!


Begin your journey to independence!

What is LEAP?

Learn, Earn, and Prosper (LEAP) provides pre-employment transitional services to youth and young adults who are blind or visually impaired. LEAP typically offers residential programs, in which students have lived in college dormitories and practice independent living skills.

Due to COVID-19, LEAP has successfully transitioned into the virtual world, where we offer platform-based educational workshops, remote work based learning internships, and skill camps!

Once public health regulations allow, LEAP plans to continue with a hybrid programming model of virtual and residential settings. Youth and young adults who are blind and visually impaired from all over the country can enjoy LEAP and cultivate their professional and personal development.

Check us out on Instagram!

@learnearnandprosper

Who can enroll in LEAP?

Young men and women who are blind or visually impaired ages 14-24 years old.

We also accept and strongly encourage applications from out of state individuals!

As a LEAPster or LEAP Intern, what type of training will I receive?

You will receive training in pre-employment transitional services:

  1. Work based learning
  2. Workplace readiness training
  3. Instruction in self advocacy
  4. Social and emotional development

Programming Opportunities


Learn more about the different programs offered to find out which experience might be best for you!

    We are excited to announce that the Spring virtual Work Based Learning Program will begin on February 27th!

    Join us as an Interview Guide Creator to research, practice, and develop an interview guide. See below for more information!

    Applications due February 13th

    Join us for the Spring weekend retreat from April 14th – 16th.

    Learn about the value of teamwork and working together to solve problems by breaking out of an escape room, creating a collaborative art project, participating in an improv workshop, and more!

    Develop Skills In:

    • Communication

    • Teamwork

    • Problem Solving

    • Active Listening

    • Decision Making

    Registration Due March 17th

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    Student Testimonials


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

    Summer 2022 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

     

    Summer 2022 Virtual Work-Based Learning 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 facilitators.

     

    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.

     

    I liked getting to know new people from all around the US, and I really liked learning about video production.

     

     

    Spring 2022 Virtual Work-Based Learning Program

    I enjoyed connecting with other people like my partners. I’m glad we got to meet new blind people.”

     

    I enjoyed making new friends!”

     

    The thing that I most enjoyed this Spring was working on the Instagram Takeover Content. I had fun meeting new people and being able to work together on a project that we loved doing. I also enjoyed the new SkillShops.”

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    Business Enterprise Program


    BEP is a proud partner of LEAP

    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
    pschirner@resourcevt.org
    802.233.2338

    Contact Us

    Instagram: @learnearnandprosper

    For Telecommunications Relay Service Dial: 711

    LEAP:

    Kaelyn Modrak

    LEAP Program Manager
    kaelyn.modrak@vermont.gov
    (802) 777-1921

    BEP:

    Pam Schirner

    BEP Program Director
    pschirner@resourcevt.org
    (802) 233-2338

    Sarah Kirby

    LEAP Program Coordinator
    skirby@resourcevt.org
    (847) 354-0450

    Hannah Peach

    LEAP Virtual Developer
    hpeach@resourcevt.org
    (802) 598-2138