End of Year Message from our CEO, Carolyn Jeppsen |
When I first reached out back in March after it was clear our world was changing, I was focused on our north star – innovation, and my refrain was the need to take things one day at a time. Who knew, 9 months later we would still be operating under that same banner. Yet, here we are. So many lives have been lost and so many families touched by the many faces of COVID. Our front line workers have been operating with unimaginable grace under extreme stress and pressure. And while much remains the same, in so many ways we are so very different than we were back in March. As friends and family, we have been able to sift through the realities of what is important in life and what does not need our time and attention. For this, we are better off, spending time on the things than matter most, and with the people we love and cherish most. As an organization, we have taken flexibility and innovation to places we never thought we could, or would need to. We have created virtual training programs, one on one support programs, engaged in remote internships – all in an effort to prepare the incredible young people we serve for their futures. We have held webinars, conducted outreach to local high schools, conducted podcasts, spoken at conferences, met with our families and alums remotely to talk about the pressures of COVID, or just to have fun, and held our first ever successful Fall Fundraiser, where we recognized BroadFutures Champions across the US. In so doing, BroadFutures has continued to successfully serve our community, while also spreading the word of our mission, lifting up our national presence and building bridges for the future.
As I look back on 2020, I am still taking things one day at a time, but I also see a horizon of hope. A horizon where the young people that we serve have equal opportunities and employers understand that our young participants represent an untapped talent pool. Most importantly, our horizon is bright, because of our incredible team here at BroadFutures, our Board, Advisory Board, and ALL of our supporters and partners who have contributed in a myriad of ways to our fiscal heath, stability, and hopeful future. I am so very grateful to ALL of you for supporting our mission in the many ways you do, and especially during this most challenging of years. Wishing everyone a happy, peace filled holiday season!!
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We are thrilled to announce that BroadFutures has been selected to work with Compass on a Micro Project! We are delighted to be in the company of many other wonderful nonprofits who have been awarded a Micro Project as well. We are excited to get started in the new year!
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Innovative & interactive curriculum for alternative learners
focusing on college and career readiness:
- Program participants complete the program with the tools, strategies and communication skills for navigating remote learning and the virtual workspace.
- Participants also learn how to search for jobs, network, and interview.
- Participants leave the program with a resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile.
- Most importantly, program participants learn how to effectively disclose their disability or learning style and ask for supports needed to be successful in school and in the workplace.
All curriculum is delivered in an interactive and innovative format that implements strategies for neurodiverse learners with the integration of the arts, collaborative projects and the inclusion of mindfulness and yoga techniques.
Curriculum Overview:
- Navigating remote learning and the virtual workplace
- Creating your elevator pitch
- Mock interviews
- Learn the art of resume writing and cover letters
- Self-advocacy
- Professional communication
- Disclosure & accommodations/ appropriate supports in the workplace & school
- Managing the job search process for success
- How to collaborate with a team effectively online
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Want to learn more?
Watch our 2021 Programs Information Session recording here.
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Summer 2021 Internship Program
Application Deadline – March 15th
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We are running an internship program this summer! If interested in applying, please do so here.
If you are interested in becoming an employer partner, we are always actively recruiting new employers.
Please find out more here.
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It is not too late to help support our mission of empowering young people with learning disabilities!! If you want to spread holiday cheer through an act of giving, please consider a charitable gift to BroadFutures. |
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EagleBank is one of the leading community banks in the Maryland, Virginia, and DC area. Founded with a desire to shape the typical banking style and include banking in local communities, EagleBank puts a strong emphasis on putting relationships first, crafting solutions to fit customers’ specific needs and offering a wide range of products and services that compete with larger (and smaller) banks.
Their five main values coexist in the acronym F*I*R*S*T, translating to flexible, involved, responsive, strong, and trusted. EagleBank’s emphasis on community resonates well with BroadFutures as we strive to create a more diverse and inclusive community in the workplace. EagleBank began its partnership with BroadFutures during our Winter 2017 Program, and the partnership has continued robustly since that time.
Tony Marquez, Senior EVP & President of Commercial Banking, spoke highly of our partnership and inclusion in the workplace: “In this time when diversity, inclusion, equality, and social justice are rightly top of mind, it is important that we lead with actions, not just words, and that these actions reflect the correct ethos for these challenging times. The BroadFutures internship program aligns with our own ideals to build a talented, inclusive, and diverse workplace at EagleBank. BroadFutures interns demonstrate and reinforce our belief that talent is found in different ways from different places.
To that end, we recently hired one of our BroadFutures interns as a full time employee and we are grateful that the program has provided us with an opportunity to continue to employ the best talent from different backgrounds. We truly believe that diversity of talent equals diversity of thought and we thank BroadFutures for helping us find that talent.“
Thank you, Tony, for your kind words. We look forward to continuing our partnership and are grateful that you were able to hire our intern, Alex full time – who is featured below! You can learn more about EagleBank here.
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Alumni Intern Spotlight – Alex Milliken |
Meet Alex from Arlington, Virginia for our next Alumni Intern Spotlight! We first met Alex back in the 2017 when he participated in our summer program. He interned with EagleBank in their Real Estate Department. Alex excelled at his internship and was asked to participate as a BroadFutures alumni member and intern for EagleBank again during the summer of 2018.
More recently, Alex graduated from Marymount University with a degree in Finance. Perhaps most exciting to us, Alex has recently been offered a full-time job at EagleBank and has already been working there. Congratulations, Alex!
Alex had this to say about his experience with BroadFutures and current job at EagleBank: “My experience at BroadFutures was very helpful in developing my skills for the workplace as well as increasing my ability to communicate effectively. I am delighted to be working as a commercial real-estate analyst for EagleBank. BroadFutures gave me the opportunity to have two summer internships there which was invaluable in being hired after graduating from college. I thank BroadFutures for their continued support and guidance, which have helped me to become a better individual and worker. I am currently working remotely, but feel I am learning a lot while contributing to this great company.“
That is awesome to hear, Alex. We know you are accomplishing great work as a commercial real-estate analyst!
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