2017 Transition Boot Camp A Major Success!

The 2017 Transition Boot Camp held on Friday, October 27th at Sharonville Convention Center was a major success with more than 500 participants attending this year’s event. Ohio Valley Goodwill was proud to be a Gold Sponsor for the 7th annual event which is designed to provide parents and caregivers, educators and other professionals working with youth and young adults with important information about planning for transition from school to adult life.

The 2017 conference featured more than 20 training sessions covering such topics as Pre-Employment Skills; Educational, Training and Vocational Options; as well as Pathways to Employment. In addition, a Vendor Fair with more than 50 exhibitors was a highlight of this year’s Transition Boot Camp where parents and professionals had the opportunity to find out more about the community resources available.

L to R: Eric Metzger, Rich Halter, Chrissy Perkins, Christina Weber and Amanda Kay, Co-Presenters

Transition Boot Camp participants

Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased not only to be a Gold Sponsor but also, a co-presenter of the session, “Creating A Meaningful Day.” Goodwill Coaching Supervisor, Rich Halter, joined with co-presenters Chrissy Perkins, Easter Seals Tri-State, Eric Metzger, HCDDS, Christina Weber, Melodic Connections and Amanda Kay, Stepping Stones to share information about the many opportunities available for individuals in the Greater Cincinnati community. The well-attended session was made particularly interesting through the use of story vignettes which profiled individuals served by the agencies and explained how their individual choices and interests are supported through their involvement in work as well as social opportunities.

Sharon Hannon and Rich Halter, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

The annual Boot Camp Conference is followed by monthly booster sessions which provide a more detailed overview of topics of interest for participants. The 2018 booster sessions will begin in March. Ohio Valley Goodwill is a member of the planning committee for the Transition Boot Camp event and is pleased to work collaboratively with four County Boards of Developmental Disabilities as well as Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and a host of service provider agencies on the annual conference event. The planning committee is led by University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in partnership with more than 20 community agencies.

To find out more about Goodwill’s employment and training services, visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/services.