We are looking for motivated, experienced mentors who embrace a positive blindness philosophy to join our team for the 2026-27 academic year. Read on for a program overview along with mentor expectations and responsibilities.
Program Description
Project RISE (Resilience, Independence, Self-Advocacy, Employment) is a Pre-Employment Transition Services program that equips blind and low vision students with the skills they need to become competitively employed. These skills serve students whether they pursue higher education, vocational training, or enter the workforce directly after high school.
Project RISE brings together the expertise of successful blind professionals, the positive philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), and a robust curriculum to give students ages 14 to 21 the skills and confidence they need to succeed. This program changes the future of blind youth, and your contribution as a mentor can be central to that change.
Some of the areas we explore during the academic year include:
- Travel and transportation
- Independent daily living skills
- Communication and interview techniques
- Dressing appropriately for job settings
- Maximizing technology to achieve common workplace tasks
- Learning to advocate for oneself
- Working through recreational scenarios to learn valuable lessons applicable to teamwork, communications, and self-advocacy
Throughout Project RISE, students connect with professionals working actively in their fields of interest. Our goal is to provide meaningful work experiences that prepare students for full employment.
About the Mentor Role
Approved applicants will be added to our active mentor pool. As students enroll throughout the year, we draw from this pool to make assignments. Mentors are not activated until a student is ready to be paired. Time commitments vary based on student needs and program format.
During virtual-only months, mentors can expect to invest an average of three hours per week. We make every effort to assign no more than three students per mentor. Mentors are not required to attend virtual sessions unless they are presenting or facilitating. If students are completing an individual project with mentor assistance, both the student and their mentor will be given advance notice for planning purposes.
In-person Saturday programs generally run from 9 AM to 4 PM, including setup and breakdown. Exact timing depends on the nature of the activity. We aim to hold at least one Saturday activity per month.
Overnight programs take place at least three times a year: once in the fall at the NFB of Virginia state convention in October in Herndon, once in the winter at the Richmond legislative seminar in mid January, and once in the spring at our closing event in May, location yet to be determined.
We will plan to take students to the NFB national convention in Austin in July 2027, though mentor participation in that event is optional and only as needed.
In-person events can involve extended periods of standing, walking, and active engagement across a range of indoor and outdoor settings. Mentors must be able to remain mobile and attentive for the duration of the event. Some activities may require lifting or transporting program materials.
Mentors will:
- Work alongside a collaborative team of coordinators, mentors, and volunteers
- Serve as the primary point of contact for one to three assigned students
- Attend monthly sessions throughout the academic year from September to May. These sessions will include a blend of virtual, in-person, and weekend-long programming.
- Submit monthly reports on each assigned student to document progress and offer recommendations for continued growth
- Maintain regular contact with assigned students and their parents between events, providing constructive feedback on student progress and skill development
- Participate in relevant professional development training to optimize student impact
- Report regularly to the assistant program coordinator on student performance, emerging concerns, and any relevant staffing or logistical issues
- Complete other duties as assigned by the program coordinator
We prefer to recruit mentors from Virginia but are open to exploring strong out-of-state candidates if their skill set would be a compelling match for our student roster. Mentors would need to be willing to attend, at minimum, the three overnight activities.
Preferred but not required: bilingual proficiency, experience working with individuals with multiple disabilities, or sign language skills.
Requirements for Personnel Contractors
All contracted service providers must complete a background check. Selected individuals will provide services in accordance with the terms outlined in the independent contractor agreement.
Compensation is provided as a monthly stipend. No additional benefits are included.
Next Steps
To apply, complete the form below by Friday, August 28. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis. All selected staff are expected to attend a mandatory orientation on Sunday, August 30 from 4 to 5 PM Eastern.
For questions about the program, or for assistance with the form, please contact Joe Orozco at rise@nfbv.org, or call: 703-594-9634.