What's Your Potential?

Potential - how do you measure it? Is it experience in a given profession or subjective? The question is one that puzzles job talent evaluators and chief executives across the country. It is something that rarely can be measured by standards or established practices. Proof is often in the pudding as opposed to how well someone can sell themselves during an interview process.

In the Simon Youth Academy at the Terrace at Florida Mall, two students worked hard to accomplish something that hadn't been done before. They wanted vending machines available so students could grab a snack in between classes. Something most take for granted was important to Josh and Anthony, both successful individuals at the SYF academy. They were both passionate about making this opportunity possible, so they started working towards making it happen.

They began a process of researching everything from statistics of potential monthly profits to why others would want the machines. They compiled the information and presented it to the administration. Much like an entrepreneur presents a business plan to potential investors, Josh and Anthony, both potential high school dropouts, presented their case.

They were successful. The profits will go towards a small yearbook the students have desired for a while. A little ambition resulted in a win-win for the academy and students. This is the type of experience that can speak volumes to a student's potential. Josh and Anthony took a simple request and made it a reality. This is the type of story Simon Youth Foundation works to replicate. They may not realize their impact right now, but it's like a stone thrown in water - the ripples continue. Their example shows others if they start here, they can go anywhere.

Meet CVS Pathways to Logistics Graduate Lisa Michell Adair-Averitte

Simon Youth Foundation and CVS Caremark partnered for the Pathways to Logistics program to offer internships for selected Simon Youth Academy students. This opportunity exposed students to careers in logistics and helped broaden students’ educational, personal and professional development. Lisa Michell Adair Averitte is one of the graduates who completed the program and this is her story.

SYF: Tell us a little about your background and how you came to the Simon Youth Pacers Academy.

Adair-Averitte: I wasn’t motivated to get anything done in school. The academy changed my attitude. I’ve always had a problem getting things done 100% right. I used to just get things done so they were done and not check it. Everyone’s kept me on task to get things done on-time and right. Now I do that with everything.

SYF: What did you do during the internship?

Adair-Averitte: This was my first job experience, so I got to see how everything works. In the distribution center, I mostly packed boxes and there was a certain way of doing things. I had to get everything in, make sure there was enough packing bubbles and stuff like that. At the end, I had to initial it basically saying I did it right so if I didn’t it was on me.

SYF: What is something you will take away from this experience?

Adair-Averitte: I’m a hard worker, but used to working by myself. Since I had never done this before or worked in this type of place, I needed to ask for help and understand that I didn’t know everything. That was hard, but I think it helped me learn that lesson.

SYF: What are your plans for the future?

Adair-Averitte: I want to work here. It seemed like it was a good job and something I can move around in so I don’t get bored. I want the chance to move up and eventually work in the office. I’ve got goals to be a manager or something like that. I think I can do it.”

Stories like these are why SYF is important. It gives youth at risk of dropping out a second chance and the hope they can achieve anything they want. It’s the goal of becoming a CVS Warehouse Manager like Lisa that lends credibility to the notion that youth start here to go anywhere. Congratulations to Lisa and all the graduates of the CVS Caremark Pathways program.

Meet CVS Pathways to Logistics Graduate Patrick Casteel

Simon Youth Foundation and CVS Caremark partnered for the Pathways to Logistics program to offer internships for selected Simon Youth Academy students. This opportunity exposed students to careers in logistics and helped broaden students’ educational, personal and professional development. Patrick Casteel is one of the graduates who completed the program and this is his story.

SYF: Tell us a little about your background and how you came to the Simon Youth Pacers Academy.

Casteel: I came to the academy after falling behind in my classes. It provided me a chance to get what I needed done and do it at my pace. I like school now and am moving on to college. I’ve already been accepted to ITT Tech for Engineering.

SYF: What did you do during the internship?

Casteel: I got to learn about the basics of packing a box which seems simple, but there’s a lot of reasons why they do it a certain way. Laws, regulations, getting it out on time, making it easy to get it to the next person – everything affects the next thing. We also did other stuff, but that part caught my attention.

SYF: What is something you will take away from this experience?

Casteel: This was my first real job. I was shaking doing the interview, but they calmed me down so I could show them I could do it. I’ll definitely be ready for my next interview thanks to the program.

SYF: What are your plans for the future?

Casteel: I want to be an entrepreneur and start my own business. It will likely be with my degree in Electrical Engineering or something like that. This internship and my academy work has given me confidence to do it.

Stories like these are why SYF is important. It gives youth at risk of dropping out a second chance and the hope they can achieve anything they want. It’s the goal of becoming an entrepreneur like Patrick that lends credibility to the notion that youth start here to go anywhere. Congratulations to Patrick and all the graduates of the CVS Caremark Pathways program.

From Obstacle to Reward

From left to right: Patrick Casteel, Miquel Davis,
Melanie McKinley Miller, Lisa Michel Adair-Averitte

Four individuals, each with different circumstances, came to the Simon Youth Pacers Academy at Washington Square for the purpose of graduating high school. While doing their studies they were offered an opportunity to participate in an internship with CVS Caremark called the Pathways to Logistics in Indianapolis, Indiana. This unique partnership gives deserving students an opportunity to get real work experience so they can get on track towards a successful career.

These youth went through a formal application and interview process. Patrick Casteel said this was one of the most helpful parts for him. He feels this preparation will serve him well in the future.

“This was my first real job,” Casteel said. “I was shaking doing the interview, but they calmed me down so I could show them I could do it. I’ll definitely be ready for my next interview thanks to the program.”

Outside of practical work-related skills, Lisa Michell Adair-Averitte said the most educational experience was the interactions with co-workers.

“I’m a hard worker, but used to working by myself,” said Adair-Averitte. “Since I had never done this before or worked in this type of place, I needed to ask for help and understand that I didn’t know everything. That was hard, but I think it helped me learn that lesson.”

Miquel Davis didn’t know what to expect when walking through the doors the first day. She was both nervous and excited at the opportunity to work. She now believes the sky’s the limit.

“I liked everything I did here,” said Davis. “It wasn’t easy but I think I can do anything now because I learned how to deal with people better. I think I could work in the warehouse for a while and move into a manager role - that’s not something I thought about before.”

Start Here. Go Anywhere. is not just a tagline, it’s a window of opportunity Melanie McKinley Miller now believes in with this internship.

“I’d like to have a job here to get me started, but down the road I’d like to do something with art and fashion,” said Miller. “I really like interior design or start a company like that. This experience helped think I could do it.”

Along with a certificate of completion, each student receives a $1,000 stipend. Learn more about each of these students as we dive deeper into their experience over the next several days.

It's a New Year

It’s a new year with all the desires to make this the one in which you make changes in life that will positively affect you. A few days removed from the start of 2013, have you stuck with the resolutions you’ve made? Did you make any? Many people list ‘lose weight,’ ‘join a gym’ or ‘quit a bad habit.’ What about learning? Education is not your typical resolution. Being a lifelong learner can be an invaluable asset as you go about your personal and professional life. The more you know and know how to do, the better chance you can be successful in any endeavor - even losing weight.

Industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie once said, "If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes."

The challenge we face today is too many youth don’t have the opportunity to even begin this process. Receiving a quality education is not always at the top of the list for the youth we work with until they are told about the Simon Youth Academy. Many factors get in the way like family obligations, unexpected life circumstances or even bullying.

SYF wants to help lead this charge and ignite hope around the country. Sparking that fire within starts with you and extends through this Foundation. Without continued support of our academies and scholarships, these at-risk youth might not have the courage to even try.

We tell students if they start here they can go anywhere. Carrying a high school diploma opens doors and windows of opportunity. Aside from that, they are learning the importance of continuing education beyond the classroom. Whether they decide to enter the work force, technical college, junior college or university, they now have that option.

SYF has a number of milestones it is celebrating in 2013 - 15-year anniversary, 10,000 graduates and providing more than $10 million in scholarships. SYF is one solution to the high school dropout problem, but we can’t do it alone. We need your help to raise awareness about who we are and why we do it. We resolve to expand the number of at-risk youth we impact. Join us – we have 362 days left!

Congratulations Graduates

‘Ladies and gentlemen, please move your tassel from the right to the left - you are now high school graduates.’ 

These words were uttered by several Simon Youth Academy Administrators and Principal’s as mid-year graduations commenced recently. Nearly 200 students from seven academies earned their diploma and now begin a new chapter of their life. Each youth who donned the traditional cap and gown have unique stories and reasons for attending the academy, but all of them persevered. 

Simon Youth Clark Pleasant Academy - 9

Simon Youth Academy at Old Cockrill - 62

Simon Youth Academy at Opry Mills - 22

Simon Youth Academy at Hickory Hollow Mall - 37

Simon Youth Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy at Knoxville Center - 39

Simon Youth Academy at Metrocenter Mall - 30

Every 29 seconds in this country a student drops out of school, which is why SYF is so proud to add all of these graduates to the list of nearly 10,000 who have earned their diploma with assistance from SYF.  

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.”

SYF is humbled to share this moment with brave young people who chose to turn the obstacles in their lives into opportunities for something better. Their character has been tested and they are now stronger to face any challenge. Keep all of these fine young men and women in your thoughts as they begin a new, exciting journey in 2013. As we enter our 15th year, get ready to graduate our 10,000th student, and award scholarships eclipsing the $10 million mark, help us continue the effort by making a year-end gift today. 

Scholarships for Master programmes in Development Studies, 2013-14, Antwerp, Belgium

IOB Master's Programmes in Development Studies 2013-2014 

The Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB) is part of the University of Antwerp (Belgium) located in the very heart of Europe. It has several decades of experience in organising international education programmes in the field of development studies.

IOB currently offers three one-year master's programmes in Development Studies:

Master of Globalisation and Development

Master of Governance and Development

Master of Development Evaluation and Management

Various scholarships available 
Every year, the Institute is home to some 100 students of more than thirty different nationalities and from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. This creates an extraordinary multicultural and multidisciplinary learning environment. With backgrounds in economics, politics and other social sciences, IOB staff bring a multidisciplinary perspective to their teaching, research and policy advisory work. 

For more information on our master's programmes, please visit our website at: http://www.ua.ac.be/iob/education 

For complete details and application procedures, CLICK HERE 

NB: Download PDF attached document/brochure. 

SOURCE: CLICK HERE 

MAKULILO SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION 
CALIFORNIA, USA