Personal Branding Workshop w/ NSA President Kevin Thompson

Trenton, NJ - We're moving closer to the live job interviews for the participants of our Young Professionals Leadership Initiative. This week, Kevin Thompson, president of the National Speakers Association (NJ Chapter) and Distinguished Toastmaster, facilitated a workshop on Personal Branding.

Our team of facilitators then worked individually to help develop their own personal brand statements and conduct online background research on the interviewing company. They had an opportunity to put their statements immediately into practice during individual mock interviews with Mr. Thompson.

Executive Chef Kahlil Wyche continued his Independent Living Series with an introduction to general budgeting principles. The budgets will be used to help the participants develop a greater awareness of earning, managing, saving, and spending money.

We wrapped the day with a review of media terminology and crew positions as we plan for our annual Spring Film Screening (in collaboration with SCRA - Society for Community Resource & Action) on Sunday, May 18.     

Healthy Cooking and Nutrition with Executive Chef Kahlil Wyche

Trenton, NJ - The Young Professionals Leadership Initiative Spring Session continued with an independent living workshop on Healthy Cooking and Nutrition. Executive Chef Kahlil Wyche conducted a session focused on Sanitation and Pathogen Prevention. Students participated in an interactive exercise using their smartphones to identify food borne diseases. The session continued with Managing a Personal Hygiene Program and testing their knowledge of safe food handling under the ServSafe guidelines of the National Restaurant Association.

The rest of the session was spent working directly with Beyond Expectations facilitators, volunteers, and crew.

Students participated in a Skills Assessment exercise that was used to begin creating video resumes, then conducted online research in preparation for upcoming job interviews with a partner company.

The Spring Session will run through March 29 followed by a team community service project.

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Take a look back at how we spent our final day of service for the year...

Celebrating the holiday season by giving back...

Trenton, NJ -- Beyond Expectations and Anchor House had a great time at our Holiday Drive & Design wrapping gifts for Angel's Wings, an emergency shelter care program for children newborn to 12 years old. We also spent the day decorating the Anchorage residence, a transitional home for older youth ages 18-21, where a few of the guys showcased their culinary skills in the kitchen!

We were joined by Jersey Cares who shared information about the organization and potential leadership opportunities. We're working with the agency to track hours for our own volunteer and community service projects.

Our extreme gratitude to all the dedicated volunteers who braved the snow to make this such a memorable day. Special thanks to Kim McNear, Anchor House Executive Director and Mereides Delgado, Director of Aging Out Youth Services for making it all possible.

We couldn't think of a better way to wrap up the year than helping to support another organization dedicated to serving youth and families in need.

Take a look back at other videos this year!

A glance behind the scenes...