The Fellowship
Format: In-Person
Duration: 60 minutes
Ages: 16+
Price: Free (through September ‘24)
New to Islands of Brilliance? First time signing up for a workshop?
We’d love to help. Connect with Us before registering!
What is the Fellowship?
An opportunity for neurodivergent teens and young adults (aged 16 through early 30s) to gather for creative arts-based activities and guided discussions.
The Fellowship is part of a larger statewide initiative, aimed at providing community resources for people with disabilities to address issues with transition from school to life beyond structured academic settings. Islands of Brilliance is part of an extensive partnership network.
The Fellowship will be available in the following Wisconsin communities:
Eau Claire
Location: The Pablo Center at the Confluence
Offered: Wednesdays, 4:30 - 5:30 pm CST (weekly)
La Crosse
Location: La Crosse Public Library
Offered: Thursdays, 4:30 - 5:30 pm CST
Rice Lake
Location: Rice Lake Public Library
Offered: Saturdays, 10:30 - 11:30 am CST
Tomahawk
Location: Tomahawk Public Library
Offered: Thursdays, 5:00 - 6:00 pm CST
Viroqua
Location: McIntosh Memorial Library
Offered: Wednesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 pm CST
Wausau
Location: Center for the Visual Arts
Offered: Mondays, 6:00 - 7:00 pm CST
Interested in bringing The Fellowship to your community?
Reach out to our team to discuss the possibility of bringing this exciting, new program to your neck of the woods!
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In-Person
In-person format provides for much needed connections with peers and mentors, helping to relieve the issues related to isolation that neurodiverse teens and young adults often face.
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Creative
The Fellowship uses the fun of creativity to help students express themselves. IOB has 10+ years of experience in working with neurodivergent youth and young adults utilizing creative technology as a means for promoting positive interactive skills, self expression, and advocacy.
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Supportive Mentoring
IOB’s unique environment harnesses creativity to encourage communication and collaboration. Creative and education professionals will guide hands-on activities and discussions of challenges faced by young adults in a supportive group.
Program Description
Neurodivergent participants 16+ will gather at partner library and art center locations once a week for one hour. In each session, students will work on special interest (SpIn) driven creative projects on iPads and laptops. They will also have the opportunity to connect socially with peers and grow together by building a community of mutual support. Sessions will be guided by experienced artists and educators who have embarked on specialized training to become Brilliant Fellows.
The Fellowship employs a research-based curriculum designed to empower youth and young adults to gain resiliency skills, advocacy skills, identity, and positive social connections. Topic-based discussions will encourage participants to reflect on their unique life experiences in a supportive network of peers.
IOB is uniquely positioned to work with neurodivergent youth and young adults. Our learning approach uses creativity to create connections that encourage social-emotional growth and self-confidence.
Funding to support this program comes from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, through a grant using American Rescue Plan Act funding to support innovative projects that will positively impact individuals benefiting from Medicaid home and community-based services activities.
Methodology and Pillars of the Fellowship Program
The Fellowship’s activities and discussions were developed in response to the Positive Youth Development Perspective, supported by both the Center for the Study of Social Policy and Harvard University. This perspective values a strengths and community-based approach to supporting citizenship, resiliency, and well-being of youth and young adults.
Within this approach, The Fellowship will explore one of six rotating pillars each month:
Connection
Confidence
Character
Competence
Caring/Compassion
Contribution
To read more about this methodology, please visit this free resource!
This Program is a Good Fit For
Individuals aged 16 through early 30s who are interested in being part of a social community and are looking to gain confidence in navigating skills for independence.
Program Outcomes
Social acceptance among a group of peers
Learn to mitigate stress
Increased resiliency
Improved sense of self-worth & self-confidence
Confidence to access a community of support
Exploration of identity
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Older students…you're invited to hang with us!
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Lighthouse
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