Belvedere 3rd Graders Participate In CareerRock It! With Goodwill Omaha and Outlook Nebraska
Belvedere 3rd Graders Participate In CareerRock It! With Goodwill Omaha and Outlook Nebraska
On Tuesday, February 12, 2019, fifteen Belvedere Elementary third graders visited Goodwill’s headquarters as part of the Greater Omaha Chamber’s CareerRockIt program. To start the day, students met Goodwill staff and learned about the mission programs Goodwill provides. The class then split into two groups to begin activities.
Students had the opportunity to meet Doug’s guide dog, Finn.
The first group met with Outlook Nebraska’s Adaptive Tech Facilitator Doug Wampler, Doug’s guide dog Phineas, and Community Outreach Specialist Megan Mackie. Doug and Megan provided an excellent learning opportunity for students and led conversation on topics such as:
- Their personal vision capacity stories
- Understanding vision loss
- Why it is important for everyone to be able to work and what types of jobs blind people can do (and what jobs they can’t)
- Guide dog etiquette and how guide dogs assist people who are blind, especially when it comes to working
- Outlook Nebraska programs and services for people who are blind
- And careers for sighted people who want to work with people who are blind
Doug and Megan provided demonstrations for students such as how a blind person uses a computer or smart phone, the technology that assists them, and the opportunity to experience vision simulator goggles.
Doug and Megan also explained adaptive technology that assists individuals with vision loss or impairments.
The second group received a behind-the-scenes tour of Goodwill’s headquarters building. Students learned about Goodwill’s community and training rooms, the administration departments, mission program areas and store operations. YouthBuild AmeriCorps members assisted with chaperoning the tours and highlighting their program area. At the end of the tour, students had the opportunity to select a book to take home with them.
Students visited the YouthBuild AmeriCorps program and learned about the woodshop.
One student spent some time going through the motions of tidying up a mock jewelry display in Goodwill’s Training Center.
The two groups switched activities allowing every student to get the full experience. Following the activities, students gathered in the Durham Community room where they enjoyed lunch and conversation.
Goodwill Omaha and Outlook Nebraska were honored to be part of the CareerRock It program. Thank you to the Greater Omaha Chamber, Ms. Dunn of Belvedere Elementary, and all the students who participated. We look forward to future opportunities to educate the young minds in our community!