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Summer Mentoring with Youth, I.N.C.'s Young Professionals Committee Thanks to the Youth, I.N.C. Young Professionals Committee, each intern in The Frederick Douglass Academy Summer Internship Program, has a mentor to turn to this summer. The mentoring program, now in its second year, had a successful kickoff at Mansueto Ventures on July 14th. Margaret Oduro, mentee and Melissa Kern, mentor, enjoy getting to know each other. Mentor, Patrick Teske, and mentee, Anthony McKenzie, visit at the kick-off. Kamara Williams with her mentor Lindsey Bell. Back to front: Mentor Donnie Phillips with his mentee Weeks Mensah and mentee Joseph Aduboffour with his mentor Dimitar Stoimenov. Microsoft Excel Training at Thomson Reuters Interns from The Frederick Douglass Academy benefited from a specialized Microsoft Excel training at Thomson Reuters on July 7th. James Perkins, Senior Specialist, Global Accounts at Thomson Reuters, took the lead in organizing the event. James Perkins, Senior Specialist, Global Accounts at Thomson Reuters, leads the Microsoft Excel training for The Frederick Douglass Academy interns. From left to right: Oluwatoberu Jaiyesimi, Anthony McKenzie, Jayson Barrow, and Kamara Williams work on a computer assignment at the Thomson Reuters Microsoft Excel training. Young Professional in Public Finance Summer Mentoring Program The Young Professionals in Public Finance Mentoring Program is once again part of the Urban Leadership Fellows Summer Internship Program. Thanks to the awesome recruiting efforts of Hali Ganbold, Marathon Asset Management, Robert Gromadzki, Morgan Stanley and Matthew Jiang, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, 34 mentors are participating in the program. The kickoff event was held on July 7th, at Jefferies, who generously donated the space and refreshments. To view more photos from the Youth, I.N.C. Young Professionals mentoring program and the Excel training, please visit our website photo gallery. If you are interested in volunteering with Futures and Options, please contact Patty Machir. -------------------------------------------------- When you think of “Freshman 15,” the dreaded weight gain of freshman year in college probably comes to mind, but since 2006 the term has taken on a new, positive meaning for college freshmen from New York City. The Freshman Fifteen program was launched in 2006, by founder Mary Buckley and her daughter Meaghan, a social worker, who saw a need that is not addressed by most college aid packages - namely the dorm-room essentials that are required for the transition into the world of college life. Futures and Options has had the pleasure of partnering with this organization since 2008, and 15 of our graduating seniors have been provided with a catalogue that covers 15 categories, including sheets, towels, blankets, comforters, bath items, school supplies, etc. Each student is able to choose the items, which are then shipped to their respective school in time for the student’s arrival. Futures and Options’ Program Coordinator Tyran Williams chooses the neediest, most deserving of our students, who have overcome the pitfalls of challenging environments, graduated from high school and been awarded college financial aid packages. Mary and Meaghan believe that the determination of these students "sets an inspiring example for all of us and we believe these students represent our best hope to break the cycle of poverty that grips our inner-city." The Freshman Fifteen works with established local organizations that support underserved students, and through a citywide network of educators, guidance counselors and community leaders, they identify students who have the greatest need for additional support. It is these students who receive The Freshman Fifteen package upon their arrival on campus. We thank Mary and Meaghan for the wonderful support they have provided the underserved youth of New York City in their transition to college life, and in particular for their support of the 15 Futures and Options students who have benefited from this creative program. We look forward to many more years of partnering with The Freshman Fifteen. For more information about our partnership with The Freshman Fifteen program, please contact Tyran Williams or call 212-601-0002. -------------------------------------------------- It is our priority to keep in touch with our alumni and offer support in any way we can. If you are an alum of our program, please take a minute to update your contact information on our website, so that we can keep in touch with you and keep you informed about upcoming alumni events. Thank you for your help! -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Did you think wish lists were only for the holidays? You can visit our Amazon.com wish list to donate items that will improve our program workshops, add to our college guidance materials, and assist us in organizing our small office. This wish list is compiled from requests by program staff and is regularly updated to reflect the needs of our students and staff. Visit our wish list to donate an item that will directly benefit the youth of our Career Development and Internship Program. --------------------------------------------------		For more information and to buy tickets or sponsor the event, visit the event page on Youth, I.N.C.'s website or email Serena Handley with questions. ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- Front to back: Bridge to Work Program participants Kretel Krah and Delisia Cuebas. The Bridge to Work Program kicked off this month with its first service project at William Harris Community Garden in Harlem. The project, which took place on July 8th, began with our youth discussing issues relating to the environment, such as the meaning of a carbon footprint, how waste affects the environment, and why community gardens are important to local neighborhoods. The youth then traveled to the William Harris Community Garden, which was founded over 20 years ago in a small corner of an abandoned lot on 153rd Street and St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem. Over the years, due to the dedication of founder William Harris, the abandoned lot has transformed into a thriving community garden. Currently managed by Mr. Harris’ daughters Jackie and Lori Harris, under the direction of their father, the garden has become a focal point of a growing community. Front row: Lori Harris, Amanda Pusey, Kretel Krah, Delisia Cuebas, Lashawn Pollock. Back Row: Kamel Lyons, Claymont Sancho, Jose Zepeda, Julio Negron, Brandon Hutchinson, Anna Zhu, and Crystal Broughton. Eleven participating teens toured the garden, learned about its history and then got to work: they planted, removed invasive species, and scored and augmented the soil. Afterward, the students and Kamel Lyons, our New York Cares team leader, reflected on the experience and Lori Harris kindly treated all to a delicious BBQ! Our teens enjoyed giving back to the neighborhood and felt very accomplished and proud to help with the community garden. This project allowed our youth to practice working in a team, following directions, and adjusting to a new environment. Program participant Rosaly Salcedo plants flowers. The next Bridge to Work service project will be at The Carter Burden Center for the Aging, where students will participate in meal preparation and jewelry making with seniors. To view more photos from the Bridge to Work Program, please visit our website photo gallery. For more information on the Bridge to Work Program, contact Stefanie Jones or call 212-601-0002. ----------------------------------------------- College Guidance What: How to Think about Your College Major and Career Connection: 5 Myths Debunked Who: High School Seniors Guest Facilitator: Marcia Cantarella, PhD Where: Alliance for Downtown New York When: August 4th, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. What: The college application process Who: High School Juniors Where: Alliance for Downtown New York When: August 10th, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information on our College Guidance Initiative, please contact Tyran Williams or call 212-601-0002. Bridge to Work Program What: Community Service Project Who: Bridge to Work program participants Where: Boys & Girls Harbor When: August 5th, 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information on the Bridge to Work Program, please contact Stefanie Jones or call 212-601-0002. Mentoring Programs What: Young Professional in Public Finance Mentoring Program Closing Celebration Who: ULF Program interns and mentors Where: SIFMA When: August 5th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. What: Youth, I.N.C. Young Professionals Mentoring Program Closing Celebration Who: The Frederick Douglass Academy summer interns and mentors Where: Alliance for Downtown New York When: August 11th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information about our mentoring programs please email Digmarie Ruiz or Tyran Williams or call 212-601-0002. Summer Internship Programs Closing Events What: Urban Leadership Fellows Program Closing Luncheon Who: ULF Program interns, alumni and supervisors Where: SIFMA When: August 12th, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. What: The Frederick Douglass Academy Summer Internship Program Closing Celebration Who: The Frederick Douglass Academy Program interns and supervisors Where: SIFMA When: August 13th, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information on The Frederick Douglass Academy Summer Internship Program, please contact Tyran Williams. For more information on the Urban Leadership Fellows Program, please contact Digmarie Ruiz or call 212-601-0002. ----------------------------------------------- We want to stay in touch with you. Please sign up for our newsletter and program and event updates. To join our email list click here. If you are a friend, donor, business partner or alumni of Futures and Options, please take a minute to fill out this short survey and update your contact info with us. For more information on our programs or events, please email us at info@futuresandoptions.org or call 212-601-0002. Visit our website to complete an online application for the Internship or Pre-Internship Program.