Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research August 2025 Newsletter | | |
In this Issue...
- New tip sheet highlighting the benefits of volunteering
- New blog sharing a personal story about volunteering
- Back to school resources for high school
- New S.T.A.Y. Tuned Podcast episode - Body Talk and Belonging: Eating Disorder Recovery in a Social World
- In case you missed it... comic on Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
| | Hot Off the Press: New Tip Sheet | | |
Get Involved, Get Inspired: How to Start Volunteering Now
Volunteering offers individuals a meaningful way to engage with and contribute to their communities while also supporting personal and professional development. Whether pursuing academic credit, leadership experience, or social connection, volunteering can be a valuable pathway to growth and opportunity. This tip sheet from the CIRC Center highlights the benefits of volunteering, addresses common barriers to participation, and provides a five-step guide to help young adults begin their volunteer journey.
Read the Tip Sheet Here
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From Escapism to Belonging: My Journey with Volunteering
In this new blog by the CIRC Center, the author shares their personal story about how once a coping mechanism for loneliness, volunteering became a source of purpose and community.
Growing up, the author often coped through avoidance and struggled with mental health challenges as a teen, despite appearing to be an optimistic high-achiever. A turning point came through volunteering—first alongside her grandparents in their church, then through school clubs, music programs, JROTC, and community meal kitchens. These experiences built skills, confidence, and connections, transforming fear into excitement and isolation into belonging. Volunteering exposed her to new perspectives, deepened her love for human connection, and gave her a sense of purpose. Her message is clear: one person can make a difference—imagine what a group can do.
Read the New Blog Here
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Resources for Teachers, Parents and Students
Navigating high school with a mental health condition, or other disability, can be challenging. Teachers, parents and students sometimes need help to get through it. The Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research has several tip sheets, comics and guides that can help.
Tip Sheets
Adulting Shorts: The "TEA" on IEPs 4-Part Comic Series
Guides for Teachers
| | New S.T.A.Y. Tuned Podcast Episode | |
Body Talk and Belonging: Eating Disorder Recovery in a Social World
In this inspiring new S.T.A.Y. Tuned podcast episode by the CIRC Center, Jamie Yang, a graduate student and mental health advocate, shares her journey of resilience and growth in navigating recovery from an eating disorder. She highlights the powerful role of community in fostering healing through friendships and hobbies. Through her journey, Jamie explores how recovery involves unlearning toxic messages about food and bodies, setting boundaries, and intentionally choosing communities that nourish rather than deplete. With honesty and insight, Jamie shows how surrounding yourself with supportive, values-aligned people can build strength, shift focus toward wellness, and create space for lasting recovery.
Listen to the new episode Here
Read the transcript
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Adulting Shorts: Let's Talk About Getting Your Teen Ready for a Job
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) helps students with disabilities, including those living with mental health conditions, build skills, explore career options, and get a head start on the path to college or employment. It’s designed for youth typically ages 14–22 and offers an early, empowering way to plan for what’s next. This comic breaks down what Pre-ETS is, how it can help, and where to get started.
And don’t forget to share it with the students, families, and educators in your life — because everyone deserves a smoother path to adulthood.
Download the comic Here
Read the transcript Here
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We're on Bluesky
We are thrilled to announce that we have joined the Bluesky social app. You can find us via our handle: @transitionsacr.bsky.social. Be sure to follow us here and on our all social channels.
| | | | COULD YOU USE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE? | | |
Technical Assistance activities are an extension of the research and training activities of the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research. Our TA services can range from simple resource referrals to on-site development of a formal TA plan (including fact-finding, goals, responsibilities, timelines, and evaluation measures). We are ready to help you develop programs, polices, and practices that support the community participation, educational, and employment outcomes of youth with mental health conditions.
Please complete the form below for Technical Assistance from Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research. Please note that we do not provide clinical consultation, behavioral services, or referrals.
| | Some of the contents of this message are supported in part under grants with funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, (NIDILRR), United States Departments of Health and Human Services (NIDILRR grant numbers 90RTEM0005, 90RTCP0010 and 90RTEM0012) and co-funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services. The contents of this message do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, SAMHSA, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. | | | | |
