6/26/2007
Media Contact:
Alyssa Gourley, STEP
Jasmine Jenkins, STEP
327-4000
Angie Nussmeyer, DPW,
327-5235
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STEP: A vision for future success
Student interns from Indiana School for the Blind
spend summer with the city researching future career paths INDIANAPOLIS -- Once again this summer, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works is proud to be participating as an employer for the Student Training Employment Program (S.T.E.P.).
Seniors Alyssa Gourley (Valparaiso) and Jasmine Jenkins (McCordsville) are interning in DPW’s administrative offices; Barbie Morgan and Dalas Mitchell were interns with DPW’s Office of Environmental Services. Students have assisted staff by producing a public service announcement, attending an outreach event, researching information, monitoring local water quality and educating staff as to how to make their outreach materials more user-friendly for persons with visual disabilities.
"I can't believe all the responsibilities under DPW that keep the city running efficiently and smoothly,” said Jenkins. “With my S.T.E.P. instruction I now feel confident that I am prepared to face the workforce after college."
"I never realized the city had a television station. It was awesome to watch a taping of one of the programs,” added Gourley. “Working with the DPW professionals has inspired me to consider working in a service-related career. With the S.T.E.P. support, I feel my self-advocacy skills are stronger and I have enjoyed educating others about visual disabilities."
With the support of Bosma Industries for the Blind and the Indiana Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, students with visual disabilities are assigned a four week job experience and earn minimum wages. A job coach serves as a mentor and liaison for the student employee and employer to ensure a successful experience for both parties.
One day a week the students attend classes where they develop a job portfolio with a resume and cover letter, participate in a formal interviewing process, learn more about adaptive equipment and job-related modifications and have the opportunity to discuss future careers.
“We’re always happy to open the doors of city government to the students in the S.T.E.P. program,” said DPW Director Kumar Menon. “We’re proud of the work they did for us during their internships and look forward to one day working with them again.”
The Mayor’s Office of Disability Affairs served as the liaison between the S.T.E.P. program and the city of Indianapolis. Student interns have been placed throughout city government, including Animal Care and Control and IndyParks.
Established in 1998, S.T.E.P. is a collaborative effort between work sites throughout Indianapolis and the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The S.T.E.P. program offers a well-balanced schedule of classroom learning, real world job experience in the community and fun recreational activities.
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