Parent/Guardian Role

The goal of EMPOWER VI is to equip transition-aged students with visual impairment living in rural communities, their families, and the transition professionals who serve them with virtual supports to improve postsecondary education and employment outcomes. With these goals in mind, we developed the EMPOWER VI Mentoring Program, an entirely virtual mentorship program. In this program, blind and low vision Mentors draw upon their experience and expertise to encourage blind and low vision Mentees to successfully navigate their postsecondary goals.

Mentorship can provide a supportive bridge for transition-aged youth, helping them build confidence, skills, and a path toward a successful future. Benefits from mentoring include role modeling, career guidance, networking, and support in building self-advocacy skills. Through this program, Mentors and Mentees partner to develop Mentee-driven goals. With support and guidance from their Mentor, Mentees take steps to progress toward their goals.

Ready to Apply? Mentee Application

The sections below outline the role and responsibilities of Parents/Guardians.

Initial Screening

• Complete the Mentee Application with your child
• Attend and support your child through the Mentee interview
• Complete the Vanderbilt University Participation Agreement
• Complete the Parent Agreement Form

Parent Role

• Support your child’s opportunity to develop and participate in an ongoing, virtual, one-to-one relationship with an adult Mentor with a visual impairment (EMPOWER VI Mentoring Program staff will provide supervision)
• Understand that the mentoring sessions will only include the Mentor and the Mentee (with the EMPOWER VI Mentoring Program staff able to join the meeting as needed)
• Encourage your child to work toward the goals they build with their Mentor
• Encourage/remind your child to attend mentoring sessions with their Mentor (you will be notified in advance about any scheduled mentoring sessions in the Vanderbilt Microsoft Teams chat)
• Encourage your child to participate in communication with their Mentor and Mentoring Program staff in Microsoft Teams
• Communicate with the EMPOWER VI team if you have questions or concerns

Time Commitment

• Attend an initial orientation alongside your child (60 minutes in August).
• Participate in 60 minutes of training prior to the start of Mentoring sessions.

Benefits

• Your child will receive support to progress and achieve their goals related to adulthood
• Your child will connect with a blind/low vision adult who can offer experience, expertise, and encouragement
• You and your child will gain access to training sessions and learning activities

If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the Mentee Application. For more information or questions, contact the EMPOWER VI Mentoring program by emailing info@empowervi.org.