Urban Expression - 2015 Summer Newsletter

SUMMER ISSUE 2015

Project Ready youth and staff traveled to present Project Ready ‘ConnectED’ at the Youth Leadership Summit in Fort Lauderdale, FL from July 28 to August 2, 2015. Our youth received scholarships to attend leadership training and workshops hosted by National Urban League.

A Message from Our Team …………..2

Increase the Peace……………………………10

Snapshot of Youth Programs…….....3

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens ……………………………..….11

National Urban League……...………...4 Youth Summit 2015 Summer Youth Employment………….6 and Learning Program Tips for Interns………………………………….7 Exploring Hartford’s Roots……………...8

College Tours…………………………………….12 Personal Branding…………………………….13 Project Ready Go Girls……………………...14

Community and Mentoring…………….15 Thank you………………………………………….16

T

his year has been a very rich and fulfilling year with tons of learning,

growth,

development

and

a

number

of

new

experiences. We appreciate all youth who have taken part in the

number of services offered by Urban League of Greater Hartford. Not only have you learned from the staff here, but you have participated in a number of initiatives to make our community a better place. The youth have built relationships

around

our

great

nation

connecting

with

other

affiliates and creating a fantastic rapport with employers around Greater Hartford. Some of our most memorable experiences have been visiting colleges and universities where youth were engaging, asking questions about college life and taking advantage of the opportunity to learn from the staff and students at each location visited. Many youth who never placed college on their radar, now have higher expectations to enhance their future. We want to wish our seniors who have graduated and are now attending college all the best, and we encourage the youth that we are currently serving to strive

for

that

same

success.

Continue

to

empower

our

community.

Yours in the Movement, ULGH Youth Department

PROJECT READY MENTOR is based upon threeprimary cornerstones: 1)a mentor/youth relationship building model; 2) core work readiness and academic activities leveraged from NUL’s existing programs (Project Ready and the Youth Development Framework and Guide); and 3) wraparound activities such as community service learning and financial literacy, that further engages the youth and demonstrate meaningful connections to society and the economy.

Project Ready Mentor intentionally links youth and positive adult role models in a ONE TO ONE situation. In order to help youth develop a sense of accomplishment and connectedness, a sense of self-worth and possibility and a relationship that allows the youth to contribute to their community in substantive ways.

YOUTH PROGRAMS SNAPSHOT

Project Ready is a Signature program of the National Urban League which assists 9th-12th grade students in making academic progress. Youth benefit from cultural enrichment opportunities and developing important skills, attitudes and aptitudes that will aid in their transition from high school and position them for post-secondary success.

Participants receive academic, social and cultural support and are able to take part in digital literacy service learning projects. Key strengths of Project Ready are flexibility, local innovation and customization, and its potential to impact whole families and communities. Urban League of Greater Hartford Project Ready Program consists of Project Ready Mentor, Go Girls!, Comcast Digital Literacy, Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program, and Manage Your Future.

The DIGITAL LITERACY program trains high school students (grades 9-12) to become proficient in basic computer and internet skills. Once students complete training, they participate in planning and executing a Digital Literacy Service Learning Project, teaching digital literacy skills to members of the community. As a result of participating in this program, students will gain enhanced problem solving, team-work, and planning skills, as well as enhanced civic engagement skills.

The GO, GIRLS! Initiative is an enhancement to Urban League of Greater Hartford Project Ready Program. The Go Girls initiative focuses on empowering females ages 14 – 18 by providing college readiness and STEM focused workshops. Additional training, mentoring, free college tours The MANAGE YOUR FUTURE program provides case management and field trips are also for 50 youth, ages 14 to 18, with leadership and skill-building opporprovided. tunities. The program emphasizes positive development components to help youth mature into healthy, well-rounded adults. Youth experience approximately two hours of instruction per week on financial literacy, life skills, job readiness and the importance of planning and motivation. Youth learn how to prepare job applications, write resumes, cover letters and how to use tools effectively. Youth also have the opporThese programsthese are made possible in part by the following funders: tunity to participate in a paid work experience.

The SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING PROGRAM provides summer internship experiences for students ages 14-19 residing in the Greater Hartford region.

The focus of this program is to provide job readiness skills with an emphasis on Personal Branding, Financial Literacy, Networking For more information regarding youth programs, please contact and Communication skills, Professional Natasha Moore - Harris, Youth Program Manager Etiquette, Resume Writing, Interviewing (860) 527-0147 ext. 294 | NMoore@ulgh.org Skills and College Readiness. After training in these topics, students are These programs are made possible in part by the following funders: provided with career competency development through real-world work experiences that offer exposure to career paths within the business industry aligned with their interests.

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URBAN EXPRESSION

Project Ready: Youth Leadership Summit 2015 Fort Lauderdale, Florida had a very eye opening experience at this year’s Youth Leadership

Summit. Initially I was only eager to go because I wanted to display all of the hard work that my group and I had done for the case competition.

However, I ended up leaving as a far more eclectic person due to all of the wonderful staff and students that I encountered, along with all of the brilliant workshops in which we took part in. For instance, in one workshop entitled “The Hour of Code,” we learned how to code for some of the world’s most famous games: angry birds, flappy bird, and candy crush. We

even received a certificate at the end of the course acknowledging our achievement, which is something that can be used in order to build each of our resumes.

The long days were sometimes grueling but worth it. We got back on campus around 11pm on average and had to make it to breakfast by 8am. This schedule taught me a lot about myself. I knew that if I wanted to have enough energy for the next day, I could not stay up all night like some of my peers. This is an excellent skill that I will need to practice for college so I am glad that I was able to learn it there.

Another mind blowing experience revolved around a subject that I am not too fond of, science.

They brought in a master scientist that goes by the name of Grand Hank. His act revolved around performing mind blowing experiments in edition to his own touch of Hip-Hop music. As someone who initially thought that the two worlds could not coexist, Grand Hank completely terminated my preconceived idea and showed us all how cool science actually is.

Overall, the Youth Leadership Summit showed me how much networking, being open minded, and going to college actually is. It changed my perception on the world and even steered me towards which college I might actually attend. Thanks to the great college fair in which they provided us, I will now put all of my time and energy into turning my dream of attending Howard University into a reality.

Sebastien Kerr Achievement First Hartford High School

Project Ready Mentee

SUMMER ISSUE 2015

PAGE 5

Highlights from the Youth Leadership Summit

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URBAN EXPRESSION

Over the course of the summer, our Social Outreach interns (ages 14-16) explored the theme, “Empowered to Change”.

The next few pages highlight their summer

experience, from their perspective, and gives a glimpse into ways they can make a difference on the job, within their community and in their own lives.

his program helped me in many ways, for example I was very shy. You couldn’t get me to speak in front of anyone. But now it’s not such a big problem as it used to be. I’ve gotten a lot of experience this summer. I learned new things such as I never really knew about the history of Hartford or the 7 Habits of Learning. I think this Summer Youth Employment Program gave me a lot of confidence and got me ready to start actually

working. I’m thankful that I’ve gotten the opportunity to participate in this program.

What am I empowered to change? I think I’m empowered to change the world. I want to be known as someone that did any and everything to help change the world. I want to be listed in the CT Historical Society, 51 objects 51 stories. All this experience empowered me to make a differences. I want to be LEGENDARY!! I am a LEADER!! I’m so glad I had the opportunity to meet Brother Lovejoy. I would love to work with both him and Brother Carl. All the guest speakers said something wise which caught my attention. Brennden is also an influential speaker that said nothing but FACTS. I love how all the guest speakers didn’t sugarcoat anything they said. I think there’s a good amount of people out there that are sick of the way they’re living and want to make a change and I AM one of them.

Taylor Jordan Bloomfield High School

enjoyed the Summer Youth Employment Program because it caused me to meet new people and friends. I

learned a lot from our guests and visitors such as Brother Lovejoy. He taught me about father figures. He told me how they ran tests on elephants and that when they didn’t have their fathers they behaved badly.

This is the same with humans too. Maybe since there are not many fathers in minority communities this leads youth to do bad things. This makes me want to be a better father than mine was.

Clifton Drayton Jr. Global Experience Magnet School

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URBAN EXPRESSION

Tips for Interns Group reflection by: Mikell Coleman, Sejada Headlam, Natasha Torres, Kiyon Walker& Kemoy Thompson

here are many things interns should know and

All interns should:

keep in mind. Interns should know that they will develop a lot of skills through their internship.



Have skills and competencies: this means to

develop practical skills such as working with

Interns should also know that they will develop practical skills, learn how to create a resume, learn how

others, interpersonal communication skills,

to create a cover letter, and will learn presentation

being responsible, organization skills, and

skills. Through the internship experience, interns will

resume and cover letter building skills.

get to show their personal brand with an elevator



Network: Meet other people from different

speech and will also be exposed to different experiences

areas, who may be able to help you or offer

that will help to gain responsibility, confidence, and

you an opportunity you may not be able to get

communicate effectively. Interns should know that it

elsewhere. Networking will help you to meet

may be hard to communicate with others, but your skills will grow and expand throughout the course of your internship.

new people and go to different places. 

Develop a global perspective and understanding: Have a frame of reference that

Tips interns should also know:

goes beyond the community. 

Work on personal development: Learn about



Don’t take the trainings lightly



Don’t make a joke out of the work place



Dress professionally



Do not use your phone during your internship or

your service so be responsible when it comes

keep it on vibrate

to your internship.



If you’re being harassed, report the problem to your

yourself and discover your personal brand.





Take responsibility: Your worksite depends on

Have confidence: Have confidence in yourself

supervisor

by giving yourself a sense of pride and



Follow the rules

purpose for a job well done.



Keep a positive mind set



Respect yourself and others around you

skills”: Interact



No fighting

with others in



No cursing or slang

your work setting.



Be on time every day



Keep inappropriate comments to yourself



Talk in a respectable manner



Do not discuss religion



Grow your “soft

SUMMER ISSUE 2015

PAGE 8

Exploring Hartford’s Roots Throughout the summer, 30 Social Media and Marketing Outreach interns explored historical highlights including local heroes, buildings and landmarks, within the state and capital city.

In August,

they later integrated their findings with live observations through site visits and tours – some of which included Hartford’s Supreme Court, Harriet Beecher Stowe House, CT Historical Society, the State Capitol and Legislative Office Building.

Visit to Harriet Beecher Stowe House

Visit to Connecticut Historical Society

SUMMER ISSUE 2015

PAGE 9

Visit to CT State Capitol and Legislative Office Building

Scholars combined a site visit with historical research and learning with a tour of the Legislative Office Building and the State Capitol. This exploration allowed students to see the generational impact of the power of words, choices and actions, and how they can influence and impact a city and nation. The visit was comprised of a tour, and an interview with both Luwannia Johnson-Martin, a Legislative Aide and City Council nominee, and her Urban League Summer Youth Employment and Learning Intern, Leandrea Fletcher. The day culminated with a rap session with Mr. Kyle Anderson, a City Councilman, who shared his life story about being born and raised in Hartford, educated at a southern HBCU (Historically Black College / University), working for the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), and who later came back home to Hartford to make a difference. He also elaborated on his current role in civil service and the importance of advocacy. The overall experience broadened the group’s understanding of the law and governance process, and what they can do to create change.

SUMMER ISSUE 2015

PAGE 10

Increase the Peace As conflict, arguments, and change are natural parts of our lives, conflict resolution is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a disagreement among them. People have different ways of communicating and that needs to be understood before reacting in a negative way. Brother Kelvin Lovejoy of Hartford Communities that Care and Brother Carl Hardrick of The Wilson Gray YMCA gave tools to our youth to respond in a positive manner to conflict.

SUMMER ISSUE 2015

PAGE 11

Developing the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Workshop synopsis by: Melanie Garcia, Liann Montes, Destine Kerr, Kiara White & Kira Robertson

The purpose of the seven habits of the highly effective teens, is to help us teens when we go to school, or for our everyday life. An example of this would be being proactive and getting things done. This means not procrastinating with what you are doing, especially when you are at school or work. These habits are good to keep in mind because it’s always good to have a proactive mindset.

The Seven Habits of highly effective teens are as follows: 1) Be Proactive: Get things done before they are due.

2) Begin with the end in mind: Do work with your end goal always in mind. People have to keep their values and priorities first.

3) Put first things first: Do what needs to be done first, don’t slack off, and prioritize your work.

4) Think win-win: This helps you with your mindset on different areas of life. Having a win-win frame of mind encourages conflict resolution and also helps individuals find solutions that will benefit all involved.

5) Seek first to understand, then to be understood: When we listen to understand rather than to reply, we begin true communication and we begin to build relationships with others.

You have to listen to understand and to be able to have good communication. When you have good communication skills, the other person can understand you. Seeking to understand takes kindness and courage.

6) Synergize: When you work together as a team, you may be able to come up with new ways to get things done.

7) Sharpen the saw: The idea of sharpening the saw is working on what you already good at and renewing ourselves in the four basic areas of life: physical, social/ emotional, mental, and spiritual.

SUMMER ISSUE 2015

Students experienced a taste of college life during memorable visits to Wesleyan College and Yale University this summer.

PAGE 12

PAGE 13

SUMMER ISSUE 2015

Personal Branding Group reflection by: Yaritza Ramos, Selena Matos, Tajianna Ledford, Kali Bowers & Rashawn Robinson

hat is personal branding? An individual’s “personal brand” is a look into their goals, passions, values, and talents. An individual’s “personal brand” is who they are, what they have to offer, and what makes them unique. Your “personal brand” is only as good as your reputation, what you deliver, and how you carry yourself. Personal branding is vital to your success.

Creating your personal brand includes the following:  Having a unique and personal business card  Updated and complete resume detailing your skills  Having a unique cover letter that stands out against the rest  Having an individual portfolio  Having positive interviewing skills  Portraying yourself professionally on social media  Dressing for success and having a professional wardrobe  Distinguishing yourself from others  Keeping your brand current and up to date  Providing a brief elevator speech, including a summary of your skills, abilities, and accomplishments, to make yourself stand out.

Questions you should ask yourself when creating your own personal brand :   

What are my strengths?

What am I passionate about?

What do I want my legacy to be?

Things to keep in mind:        

Think of your resume as a marketing tool Use bulleted sentences Lead with your strengths Define your core values Be consistent Construct your resume so that it can easily be read Do not make your resume flashy Remain visible

Go Girls! empowers females ages 14 – 18 This program emphasizes college readiness by providing STEM focused workshops, training and mentoring.

WORKSHOPS INCLUDE College Readiness  SAT Prep  Job Readiness STEM Career Exploration PARTICIPATE IN COLLEGE TOURS, NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE YOUTH SUMMIT & MORE For information contact Tieasha Gayle (860) 728-4276 Urban League of Greater Hartford | 140 Woodland Street | www.ulgh.org

COMMUNITY

Clean-Up and Beautification

Staff and youth helped clean the Sigourney Square Park with Knox Parks.

Mentor Paint Night ULGH hosted “Paint Night” for our mentors and mentees to engage in a fun and informal atmosphere .

If you are interested in becoming a mentor or a mentee Contact Tieasha Gayle (860) 728-4276

A special thank you to all of our 2015 Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program Worksite Providers!

About Us: Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc. is an affiliate of the National Urban League.

Founded in 1964 by Rachel Milton, Marion Hepburn Grant, Dr. James S. Peters II, Judge Norris O'Neill and Olcott Smith, the Urban League is a community based not-for-profit. Urban League of Greater Hartford is a direct services agency providing services in five programmatic areas: Adult Education, Youth Development, Workforce Development and Training, Economic Enrichment and Health and Wellness.

Artists Collective Boys and Girls Club at Trinity College Burlington Coat Factory Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford Compass Youth Collaborative CVS Ebony Horsewoman

Our Mission:

Greater Hartford Transit District

To promote the selfempowerment of individuals in the Connecticut Capital Region to achieve educational, occupational and economic equality for themselves and their families.

Hartford Communities that Care

Hartford Public Schools Ikasa Furniture Store It's a Gee Thang Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission

Our Values:     

Focused on helping people in need change their lives Committed to personal and team accountability for excellence Committed to creating and delivering innovative solutions Caring, respectful and honest in all that we do We teach what we value, and we live what we teach

Contact Us: 140 Woodland Street Hartford, CT 06105 Phone: 860-527-0147 Fax: 860-244-0794 Website: www.ulgh.org

Latino Way, Marketing and Media Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (Trash Museum) Park Place Health Center State of Connecticut - Representative Matt Ritter The Village for Families and Children—MLK Family Resource Center Urban League of Greater Hartford West Indian Foundation (MLK) Wilson-Gray YMCA