March 2017
Project F.O.C.U.S Newsletter
Word from the Director Hello and happy March! We are starting to enjoy the warmer weather here at UNLV and have a lot of fun things planned this month & next! If you are interested in learning more about FOCUS & the services for students with intellectual disability and autism, please RSVP for one of our informational sessions we will be having this month. These are available for anyone- no matter your age! It is never too early or late to plan & prepare for college. In addition, be on the look-out for a special promotional video we will have ready around March 15th! We are really excited to share this video with the community. As always, if you have any questions or comments we would love to hear from you! Please help support our local businesses that are helping us this month! -Josh
In This Issue Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
Word from Director
Student & Intern Spotlight
Upcoming Events: Save the Date
Donate In 3 Easy Steps
I cannot believe it is already February! I also can't believe we are going on our SIXTH year of helping people with Down syndrome go for their college dreams! Ruby just turned six in December, and when we were inspired by her to start Ruby's Rainbow, I would have never imagined we would be where we are today. My first goal that year was just ONE $2k scholarship....and now, here we are, having granted $295,000 to 109 amazing and capable people rockin' that extra chromosome going for their dreams of higher education and independence all across the country! Whether you have donated, helped spread the word, or both...we could not have done it without you all!! We are geared up to do it again this year and our application is now open. Please share this link with anyone who may qualify! https://rubysrainbow.org/apply-now/
Mission Statement The purpose of F.O.C.U.S. is to provide an inclusive, accessible, and productive career education program for college aged students with Intellectual Disabilities in the Las Vegas Valley that promotes self-determination community engagement and partnerships, job readiness, and transitions to adulthood through person-centered planning, inclusive teaching, evidence-based research, and positive behavior supports.
Click on the link https://netcommunity.unlv.e du/givetoeducation Select Other for designation Write PROJECT FOCUS in the other box
Project F.O.C.U.S Newsletter
March 2017
F.O.C.U.S. Student Spotlight – Bailey . L What do you enjoy most about being a student at UNLV? I enjoy working at the preschool. This is my second semester as an intern; I assist with snacks and keeping the children safe. What are some of your hobbies? I love movies; I like to watch them at the theatre. I also like to spend my free time playing video games; Pokémon is one of my favorites. What would people be surprised to know about you? I am smart, funny, and talented. I play the clarinet and I have played at some UNLV basketball games with the Pep Band! What does it mean to be a part of project FOCUS? Being a part of FOCUS has given me the opportunity to work with children. FOCUS has also provided me with going to college to learn and pursue my dreams.
F.O.C.U.S. Intern Spotlight – Matthew Chappa My name is Matthew Chappa, I’m a senior in the Human Services program with a minor in Addictions Treatment. My hope is to one day become a licensed therapist and to even open up my own practice later in life. I enjoy listening to music, going to concerts and watching bad movies. I was interested in working with FOCUS because the IDD community is a population I had never worked with or encountered much, especially in a university setting. I enjoyed my first internship at FOCUS so much that I made sure to petition to stay another semester. I believe that this program is doing something incredibly special in that they are giving students with IDD an opportunity to participate in the college experience. This allows a generally disregarded population the ability to join our community and contribute to it just as much as anyone else. The program also allows them to learn real-life skills that make it possible for them to pursue jobs once they’re out of college. My FOCUS experience has been my favorite aspect of attending UNLV. Those that work full-time in the program, the interns and especially the students have all made my senior year at UNLV much more memorable. It makes me feel like I’m giving back to the college community. I used to just get to campus and leave once my classes ended, but this program has shown me how much I was missing.
Contact Information: University of Nevada, Las Vegas Located in the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder CEB 112 (702) 895-5836 Email: focus@unlv.edu
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Project F.O.C.U.S Newsletter
March 2017
Save the Date Upcoming Project F.O.C.U.S Events March 14th - Chipotle Fundraiser March 15th - Rebel Raiser April 27th - 51s Baseball Game May 20th - FOCUS Luncheon
Contact Information: University of Nevada, Las Vegas Located in the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder CEB 112 (702) 895-5836 Email: focus@unlv.edu
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CAUSE
AN EFFECT Make dinner a selfless act by joining us for a fundraiser to support UNLV Project FOCUS. Come in to the Chipotle at 4530 S. Maryland Pkwy. in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 14th between 12:00pm and 4:00pm. Bring in this flyer, show it on your smartphone or tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 50% of the proceeds will be donated to UNLV Project FOCUS.
If placing an order online during your fundraiser, please note you must choose the pay in-store option and inform our cashier of your participation before paying. Gift card purchases during fundraisers do not count towards total donated sales, but purchases made with an existing gift card will count.
LET'S FOCUS! withÂ
Join us at KAFFE Live all month long & help students with intellectual disability and autism go to college.
5135 S Fort Apache Rd. 89148 Dine in, take out, or call ahead!Â
follow us for more info! @unlvfocus @kaffelive
bring in this flyer for a chance to win a Kaffe Live gift card!
Family Informational Sessions March 2017 Project F.O.C.U.S. is a two-to-four year certificate program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas that allows students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities obtain an Occupational and Career Life Studies Certificate. Our mission is to provide an inclusive, accessible, and productive career education program for college aged students in the Las Vegas valley.
Project F.O.C.U.S. will be holding two family information sessions. Each session will include an overview of the program, discuss the application process, and have a Q&A opportunity with the program staff.
Please join us for one of the upcoming sessions: - Saturday, March 18th at 12pm - Monday, March 20th at 7pm Each session will be held on campus in the Carlson Education Building (CEB), room 133.
Click here to RSVP!
For more information about FOCUS or the Family Information Sessions, please call 702-895-5836 or contact us at focus@unlv.edu