thePassage issue 4

word

Handy Work:

A Wise

from the

“Studies show…volunteering increases the likelihood of being employed,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity director, Jesse Panuccio. Audrey Kidwell has years worth of volunteer experience to date. She has gone from Americorps to Peace Corps service to current Volunteer Generation Fund Program Manager for Volunteer Florida. Kidwell shares her insight into personal benefits of volunteering, the business side and a new social media trend regarding the task.

become future community leaders through a rigorous middle-school program coupled with ongoing graduate support,” appears successful based on graduate testimony shared on AcademyPrep.org.

Jorge graduated in 2008. He wrote, “I have had my sights set on an Ivy League university since I was an eighth grader at Academy Prep. I always enjoyed school, but Academy Prep gave me the confidence I needed to take pride in my accomplishments.” Jorge went on to attend Phillips Exeter in New Hampshire and now Columbia University.

Special Thanks        

Marcus Scott The Sneakerhead Collection 2 Extreme Tattoos Tampa Infamous City Tattoos- Tampa Nuekie owner Eunice Cofie Academy Prep Center of Tampa Audrey Kidwell Carrie Ann Baade

Educators are crucial to success stories like Jorge’s, but 11-hour school days require assistance. Academy Prep students attend convocation, 6 class periods a day- 4 core and 2 supplementary. Volunteers are most helpful in study hall and enrichment.

There is an 18 and older requirement for volunteers to contribute in areas like gardening, cooking, music, sports and much more. Gutierrez notes that volunteers gain professional experience in decision making and team building.

When asked if there are disadvantages to volunteering, Gutierrez says, “Obviously some of the downsides is when you have a volunteer who isn’t trained as a teacher and they don’t have any experience. Maybe they have experience one on one tutoring when they were in high school. Maybe they just had a passion for sports but they’re not teachers. So what ends up happening is, of course, they’re going to go through a time where they mess up and tell the student the wrong answer. Or maybe they themselves don’t handle situations very well even with the teacher in the room sometimes.

And so it takes a bit of intervention on our end…”

www.facebook.com/thePassageYA, 20Something Media LLC

the Passage Alternative Sentence A look at court-ordered community service There’s the service some teachers require along with coursework ; Even some businesses and organizations promote community service among employees. And then there’s the infamous court ordered community service. The phrase may put a sour taste in your mouth but a look into the judicial ruling could prove it is a service in itself.

In court cases where individuals charged with a crime are facing sentencing, they are sometimes given the option to complete hours of service. This is considered an alternative sentence in which communities and offenders benefit more from the service of the individual rather than his or her incarceration.

Community service in general is regulated by the Office of Community Service (OCS)- a division of the United States Health and Human Services Department. "The goal of OCS services and programs is to help individuals and families become self sufficient and to revitalize communities throughout the United States."

FREE

Advertisement

Continued from page 3

A Publication of 20Something Media LLC ©2015 All Rights Reserved May 2015

Q. What is your organization’s stance on volunteerism? How do you promote it?

A. “On a personal level I volunteer. Volunteering has been a passion of mine for many years but now I really enjoy working with non-profits to create meaningful volunteer opportunities for others. Through my work at Volunteer Florida, I work with non-profits around the state to help increase the capacity of the organization to recruit, manage, support and retain skill-based volunteers to serve in high value volunteer assignments.”

Q. What patterns do you see within volunteerism?

A. “With the increase of social media and technology, I have noticed this growing trend among the younger generation called ‘slacktivism’…where people support an issue or social cause but their actions have little or no practical effect on the issue other than to make themselves feel some amount of satisfaction.”

Q. With the organization and volunteer in mind, what are some pros to volunteering? What are some cons?

A. “While there are many pros to volunteering, my favorite is getting to meet people and know the community in which you live or work. Onetime or short term volunteer opportunities I’ve found to be the best since you have flexibility to try different types of volunteering. However, for the organization, a big con is that it does take up time and resources to have volunteers.”

Q. How do you recommend volunteers navigate the chain that may begin to form?

A. “I would take time to research opportunities and organizations you want to volunteer with based off what you want as the volunteer.”

issue four

6 Ways You Never Thought to Volunteer 1 As a remote volunteer 2 As a visionary volunteer (i.e. Creating vision boards, schedule setting, etc) 3 As a coach (i.e. Sports coach, life coach) 4 As an organizer of a thank you project for local, state and/or national service men 5 As a guide for the blind 6 As an organizer of neighborhood projects (i.e. Little Libraries, newsletters, gardens, neighborhood crime watch)

in this issue >>> - Volunteerism- “Year of the A” - Alternative to College - Handy Work

Specifically though, laws governing court ordered service is established by individual states. Even within states there are organizations that partner with the court system to administer and oversee performance of hours. Last but not least there are the organizations that agree to host the offender.

Volume 1 Issue 4 May 2015

1

Alternatives to College: U.S. Job Corp To combat unemployment, in 1998, Title I-C of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 authorized the establishment of the United States Job Corp. Its introduction reads, “An act to consolidate, coordinate, and Advertisement improve employment, training, literacy and vocational rehabilitation programs in the United States and for other purposes…”

“Other purposes” aside, the U.S. Job Corp, under the Federal Department of Labor offers job skills training and acquisition to young adults age 18-24 at 125 campuses throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

The Corp is a four-phase program consisting of Outreach and Admissions as the primary phase, a Career Preparation Period lasting 60 days, a Career Development Period and the Job Corp graduation phase which is the Career Transition Period.

The official website, Jobcorps.gov posted, “Following enrollment, job or further academic placement, follow-up and transitional career development support services are provided for eligible students through organizations contracted by the U.S. Department of Labor.”

“Year of the

The resounding answer to relocating during a time of transition in order to mentor with the Hillsborough Education Foundation’s Graduation Pathways program in the summer of 2014 was yes. I'd get to return to the place that had sparked the idea for my first e-magazine and, having just started a business, an environment and experiences that inspires creativity was ideal.

But who knew that committing to a year of community service with a minimum 900-hour requirement would be as strenuous as it was fulfilling? And, I will tell you now that I did not fulfill the full requirement.

However, my inability to complete the program neither stopped me from putting my best foot forward nor from taking the most away from the experience.

In a way, I played middle man much of the time- between students and teachers/school administrators, community parents and the foundation, my personal and professional obligations. In retrospect, the opportunity gave truth to what you hear some leaders say about rendering service to others being a remedy to dealing with frustration. I allowed myself to be consumed by the experience, even if for a brief time.

Because I have worked with children before, I was aware of the sensitive nature of working with students, parents, school boards, etc. A new takeaway from this mentorship, was how to be the “professional friend.”

This required listening to what the student says as well as doesn’t say, or does and doesn’t do, and, in turn, discerning what I say, when to say it and who to report it to (in the event issues such as attendance, behavior or grades required attention from an administrator or parent.)

While it was rewarding to be a listening ear and voice of reason to the six or so elementary school students permitted to be mentees, at some point, my own responsibilities required tending to.

I released two of the four trial issues of thePassage, networked with like-minded individuals and planned for my business’ future- whether it went as planned or not. And afterward, I was fortunate to nurture my personal life back to good standing.

An ultimate reward was getting to observe the Volunteer Florida/ Americorps’ 20 th anniversary with hundreds of other Americorps’ members as we completed group service projects at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Going forward, I have become a service advocate- sharing how much I enjoyed this opportunity with everyone who listens. I also suggest the slightest ways they can contribute. None of this goes, however, without remembering not to neglect their need.

“If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope.

You will fill yourself with hope.”

– Barack Obama

Additional alternatives      

”

Words by Terrika Mitchell/ Photos from VolunteerFlorida.org See footage from the 20th anniversary celebration, my Americorps’ graduation and more online at www.Terrika.me

Internship/Apprenticeship Volunteer Travel Military Service Workforce Experience Master a trade

www.facebook.com/thePassageYA, 20Something Media LLC

Academy Prep Center of Tampa teaches a 5th-8th grade academic curriculum comparable to leading institutions. School days begin at 7 a.m. and ends at 6:05 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Tina Gutierrez-Brewster works closely with the school’s volunteers through the orientation and daily operation. She is program manager of the 12-year-old school.

With its unconventional schedule style, parents of Academy Prep students are a valuable percentage of the center’s priceless volunteers.

Gutierrez-Brewster says, “The parents are the ones who are primarily half of the volunteers here. It’s mandatory volunteerism but they’re the ones who are spreading the word and saying ‘Won’t you go partner up with them?”

And partnering is a large part of Academy Prep’s operation.

Modeled after the success of New York City’s Nativity Mission Center, the Academy Prep Foundation, Inc. is the school’s funding vehicle. The Board of Trustees seats nine and is made up of CEO’s and company presidents. It is hardly a surprise that, “8th grade students participate in a series of work-based learning classes taught by law, business, and medical professionals,” as the website notes.

“There are an incredibly large dedicated group of professionals in the Tampa Bay community that are constantly seeking ways to reach out to non-profits.

And so what ends up happening is, let’s say John Smith from ‘Particular

Meet Academy Prep Center of Tampa Lawyer Firm Incorporated’ learns about our program and they happen to have an outreach program themselves within their own organization. John Smith comes over and says, ‘Sounds like a great program. I want to get my team members involved. How do I get an activity for them? How do we jump right in?” Gutierrez explains. “ And that’s where, together, we plan out: Are we going to have a one-day workshop where you come out and do a quick spring picnic showcase of your football expertise; Or are you going to boost one of our events; Or are you going to have more of an ongoing volunteer experience here? So that’s where we find the need for someone on our end to connect them on a personal level and find their talents and then to find an area of need on our end That’s really where we are very successful in creating a program that keeps people around.”

The mission, “to inspire and empower students qualifying for need-based scholarships to…

You can finish reading this article on page 4.

Volume 1 Issue 4 May 2015

3

Alternatives to College: U.S. Job Corp To combat unemployment, in 1998, Title I-C of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 authorized the establishment of the United States Job Corp. Its introduction reads, “An act to consolidate, coordinate, and Advertisement improve employment, training, literacy and vocational rehabilitation programs in the United States and for other purposes…”

“Other purposes” aside, the U.S. Job Corp, under the Federal Department of Labor offers job skills training and acquisition to young adults age 18-24 at 125 campuses throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

The Corp is a four-phase program consisting of Outreach and Admissions as the primary phase, a Career Preparation Period lasting 60 days, a Career Development Period and the Job Corp graduation phase which is the Career Transition Period.

The official website, Jobcorps.gov posted, “Following enrollment, job or further academic placement, follow-up and transitional career development support services are provided for eligible students through organizations contracted by the U.S. Department of Labor.”

“Year of the

The resounding answer to relocating during a time of transition in order to mentor with the Hillsborough Education Foundation’s Graduation Pathways program in the summer of 2014 was yes. I'd get to return to the place that had sparked the idea for my first e-magazine and, having just started a business, an environment and experiences that inspires creativity was ideal.

But who knew that committing to a year of community service with a minimum 900-hour requirement would be as strenuous as it was fulfilling? And, I will tell you now that I did not fulfill the full requirement.

However, my inability to complete the program neither stopped me from putting my best foot forward nor from taking the most away from the experience.

In a way, I played middle man much of the time- between students and teachers/school administrators, community parents and the foundation, my personal and professional obligations. In retrospect, the opportunity gave truth to what you hear some leaders say about rendering service to others being a remedy to dealing with frustration. I allowed myself to be consumed by the experience, even if for a brief time.

Because I have worked with children before, I was aware of the sensitive nature of working with students, parents, school boards, etc. A new takeaway from this mentorship, was how to be the “professional friend.”

This required listening to what the student says as well as doesn’t say, or does and doesn’t do, and, in turn, discerning what I say, when to say it and who to report it to (in the event issues such as attendance, behavior or grades required attention from an administrator or parent.)

While it was rewarding to be a listening ear and voice of reason to the six or so elementary school students permitted to be mentees, at some point, my own responsibilities required tending to.

I released two of the four trial issues of thePassage, networked with like-minded individuals and planned for my business’ future- whether it went as planned or not. And afterward, I was fortunate to nurture my personal life back to good standing.

An ultimate reward was getting to observe the Volunteer Florida/ Americorps’ 20 th anniversary with hundreds of other Americorps’ members as we completed group service projects at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Going forward, I have become a service advocate- sharing how much I enjoyed this opportunity with everyone who listens. I also suggest the slightest ways they can contribute. None of this goes, however, without remembering not to neglect their need.

“If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope.

You will fill yourself with hope.”

– Barack Obama

Additional alternatives      

”

Words by Terrika Mitchell/ Photos from VolunteerFlorida.org See footage from the 20th anniversary celebration, my Americorps’ graduation and more online at www.Terrika.me

Internship/Apprenticeship Volunteer Travel Military Service Workforce Experience Master a trade

www.facebook.com/thePassageYA, 20Something Media LLC

Academy Prep Center of Tampa teaches a 5th-8th grade academic curriculum comparable to leading institutions. School days begin at 7 a.m. and ends at 6:05 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Tina Gutierrez-Brewster works closely with the school’s volunteers through the orientation and daily operation. She is program manager of the 12-year-old school.

With its unconventional schedule style, parents of Academy Prep students are a valuable percentage of the center’s priceless volunteers.

Gutierrez-Brewster says, “The parents are the ones who are primarily half of the volunteers here. It’s mandatory volunteerism but they’re the ones who are spreading the word and saying ‘Won’t you go partner up with them?”

And partnering is a large part of Academy Prep’s operation.

Modeled after the success of New York City’s Nativity Mission Center, the Academy Prep Foundation, Inc. is the school’s funding vehicle. The Board of Trustees seats nine and is made up of CEO’s and company presidents. It is hardly a surprise that, “8th grade students participate in a series of work-based learning classes taught by law, business, and medical professionals,” as the website notes.

“There are an incredibly large dedicated group of professionals in the Tampa Bay community that are constantly seeking ways to reach out to non-profits.

And so what ends up happening is, let’s say John Smith from ‘Particular

Meet Academy Prep Center of Tampa Lawyer Firm Incorporated’ learns about our program and they happen to have an outreach program themselves within their own organization. John Smith comes over and says, ‘Sounds like a great program. I want to get my team members involved. How do I get an activity for them? How do we jump right in?” Gutierrez explains. “ And that’s where, together, we plan out: Are we going to have a one-day workshop where you come out and do a quick spring picnic showcase of your football expertise; Or are you going to boost one of our events; Or are you going to have more of an ongoing volunteer experience here? So that’s where we find the need for someone on our end to connect them on a personal level and find their talents and then to find an area of need on our end That’s really where we are very successful in creating a program that keeps people around.”

The mission, “to inspire and empower students qualifying for need-based scholarships to…

You can finish reading this article on page 4.

Volume 1 Issue 4 May 2015

3

word

Handy Work:

A Wise

from the

“Studies show…volunteering increases the likelihood of being employed,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity director, Jesse Panuccio. Audrey Kidwell has years worth of volunteer experience to date. She has gone from Americorps to Peace Corps service to current Volunteer Generation Fund Program Manager for Volunteer Florida. Kidwell shares her insight into personal benefits of volunteering, the business side and a new social media trend regarding the task.

become future community leaders through a rigorous middle-school program coupled with ongoing graduate support,” appears successful based on graduate testimony shared on AcademyPrep.org.

Jorge graduated in 2008. He wrote, “I have had my sights set on an Ivy League university since I was an eighth grader at Academy Prep. I always enjoyed school, but Academy Prep gave me the confidence I needed to take pride in my accomplishments.” Jorge went on to attend Phillips Exeter in New Hampshire and now Columbia University.

Special Thanks        

Marcus Scott The Sneakerhead Collection 2 Extreme Tattoos Tampa Infamous City Tattoos- Tampa Nuekie owner Eunice Cofie Academy Prep Center of Tampa Audrey Kidwell Carrie Ann Baade

Educators are crucial to success stories like Jorge’s, but 11-hour school days require assistance. Academy Prep students attend convocation, 6 class periods a day- 4 core and 2 supplementary. Volunteers are most helpful in study hall and enrichment.

There is an 18 and older requirement for volunteers to contribute in areas like gardening, cooking, music, sports and much more. Gutierrez notes that volunteers gain professional experience in decision making and team building.

When asked if there are disadvantages to volunteering, Gutierrez says, “Obviously some of the downsides is when you have a volunteer who isn’t trained as a teacher and they don’t have any experience. Maybe they have experience one on one tutoring when they were in high school. Maybe they just had a passion for sports but they’re not teachers. So what ends up happening is, of course, they’re going to go through a time where they mess up and tell the student the wrong answer. Or maybe they themselves don’t handle situations very well even with the teacher in the room sometimes.

And so it takes a bit of intervention on our end…”

www.facebook.com/thePassageYA, 20Something Media LLC

the Passage Alternative Sentence A look at court-ordered community service There’s the service some teachers require along with coursework ; Even some businesses and organizations promote community service among employees. And then there’s the infamous court ordered community service. The phrase may put a sour taste in your mouth but a look into the judicial ruling could prove it is a service in itself.

In court cases where individuals charged with a crime are facing sentencing, they are sometimes given the option to complete hours of service. This is considered an alternative sentence in which communities and offenders benefit more from the service of the individual rather than his or her incarceration.

Community service in general is regulated by the Office of Community Service (OCS)- a division of the United States Health and Human Services Department. "The goal of OCS services and programs is to help individuals and families become self sufficient and to revitalize communities throughout the United States."

FREE

Advertisement

Continued from page 3

A Publication of 20Something Media LLC ©2015 All Rights Reserved May 2015

Q. What is your organization’s stance on volunteerism? How do you promote it?

A. “On a personal level I volunteer. Volunteering has been a passion of mine for many years but now I really enjoy working with non-profits to create meaningful volunteer opportunities for others. Through my work at Volunteer Florida, I work with non-profits around the state to help increase the capacity of the organization to recruit, manage, support and retain skill-based volunteers to serve in high value volunteer assignments.”

Q. What patterns do you see within volunteerism?

A. “With the increase of social media and technology, I have noticed this growing trend among the younger generation called ‘slacktivism’…where people support an issue or social cause but their actions have little or no practical effect on the issue other than to make themselves feel some amount of satisfaction.”

Q. With the organization and volunteer in mind, what are some pros to volunteering? What are some cons?

A. “While there are many pros to volunteering, my favorite is getting to meet people and know the community in which you live or work. Onetime or short term volunteer opportunities I’ve found to be the best since you have flexibility to try different types of volunteering. However, for the organization, a big con is that it does take up time and resources to have volunteers.”

Q. How do you recommend volunteers navigate the chain that may begin to form?

A. “I would take time to research opportunities and organizations you want to volunteer with based off what you want as the volunteer.”

issue four

6 Ways You Never Thought to Volunteer 1 As a remote volunteer 2 As a visionary volunteer (i.e. Creating vision boards, schedule setting, etc) 3 As a coach (i.e. Sports coach, life coach) 4 As an organizer of a thank you project for local, state and/or national service men 5 As a guide for the blind 6 As an organizer of neighborhood projects (i.e. Little Libraries, newsletters, gardens, neighborhood crime watch)

in this issue >>> - Volunteerism- “Year of the A” - Alternative to College - Handy Work

Specifically though, laws governing court ordered service is established by individual states. Even within states there are organizations that partner with the court system to administer and oversee performance of hours. Last but not least there are the organizations that agree to host the offender.

Volume 1 Issue 4 May 2015

1