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We are excited to introduce new team members! Tim Fuchs, Director of Outreach & Operations ![]() We are very excited to welcome Tim Fuchs to the BroadFutures team! Tim is joining our team as the Outreach and Operations Director and is responsible for outreach to prospective employers and participants, assisting with BroadFutures’ development and advancement activities, as well as coordinating logistics and administration for the organization. As someone with ADHD, Tim is deeply invested in BroadFutures’ mission and programs. Before joining BroadFutures, he worked for the National Council on Independent Living for over 18 years, where he oversaw their major programs, events, and operations. Tim is especially passionate about cross-disability advocacy and disability justice work that drives at the sources of marginalization and oppression faced by people with disabilities. He believes it is especially important to conduct our work through an intersectional lens and to consider how systems and our work impacts the most marginalized people in our communities. Tim holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Clemson University. Tim lives in Washington, DC with his wife and two children. When asked about his transition to his role at BroadFutures, Tim shared, “I’m so happy to be joining the team at BroadFutures! I’ve spent almost 20 years in the Independent Living Movement, where I learned the value of peer-led, cross-disability advocacy and empowerment. Disability pride and my own experience with ADHD drive the work that I do and my personal investment in our mission. BroadFutures is on such an exciting trajectory. I’m looking forward to optimizing our operations and systems to allow us to work more efficiently, connect with new partners, and grow BroadFutures to its full potential.” Welcome to the team, Tim! We look forward to the perspectives and experiences that you will bring to our work at BroadFutures.
Lily O’Hanlon, Spring 2022 Intern ![]() Please join us in welcoming Lily O’Hanlon, who serves as BroadFutures’ spring 2022 intern. She is currently a student at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, participating in the Montgomery College Dual Enrollment Program. Lily plans to attend American University in the fall where she will study Psychology. Lily has a personal commitment to creating positive and inclusive change in her community – she started a club in high school called Flourishing Friendships, which aims to bridge the gap between neurotypical students and students with disabilities. When asked about what she finds most meaningful about interning at BroadFutures, Lily said “Getting to see people who have different perspectives of different ways of thinking approach tasks. At BroadFutures, interns are able to accomplish so much in the workforce and current environment.” Thanks for all your hard work, Lily!
On our way to finishing out the Internship Program strong ![]() Our interns are heading into their final weeks of their internships, and we are so proud of what they have already accomplished within the workplace. During training on Fridays, we reflect back on the previous work week, sharing accomplishments and discussing how we can improve going forward. We have also heard from a number of guest speakers from inspiring organizations such as Game Genius, Getting Hired, and Eye to Eye.
Interns, we cannot wait to watch you finish out your internships on a high note next month!
Congratulations to our Winter Strengths cohort! ![]() Earlier this month we celebrated the completion of our fifth college & career readiness Strengths Program! This program’s cohort was full of hardworking, driven, and smart young people. The BroadFutures team gathered virtually with participants’ families on the last day of the program to hear insightful presentations from each of the participants about what they have learned and where they will go next. Congratulations to all of the participants for completing the program – we cannot wait to see what the future has in store for each of you!
Upcoming Events Open to all BroadFutures current Winter Interns & Alumni
Monday, April 4th at 4:30pm EDT: Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden Picnic We ask that you bring your own food/snacks.
Thursday, April 7th at 4:05pm EDT: Opening Day at National’s Park We have limited tickets, so they will be first-come first serve. Please let us know if you would like to attend by Monday, April 4th at 5pm EDT.
Employer Partner Spotlight – Mi Vida This month we want to shine the spotlight on one of our newest employer partners, Mi Vida! A restaurant at the District Wharf, Mi Vida has a menu that is inspired by street food and traditional Mexican home cooking—presented in a modern, elevated way. This concept is created in partnership with KNEAD Hospitality + Design, envisioning a dining destination that infuses The Wharf’s industrial aesthetic with distinctive and historic Mexican décor. General Manager Sean Maddrey works with a Winter 2022 BroadFutures intern currently working in Mi Vida’s kitchen. We look forward to a continuing partnership with Mi Vida! Learn more about Mi Vida here.
Intern Spotlight – Theo B. ![]() Meet our next intern spotlight: Theo! Theo is a 22-year-old from Bethesda, Maryland who is currently attending Boston College. They have a passion for making the world a better place, and are committed to combating systematic inequalities and injustices. Theo is currently interning at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a think tank focused in Washington, D.C. Theo writes briefings on various people and topics for the staff members to help prepare them for their meetings. Each morning, Theo contributes to newsletters that touch on various topics to send to the department heads to make sure people are aware of current events, which Theo finds to be one of the most exciting parts of the internship. Theo has seen themselves grow with the help of BroadFutures and at CSIS, particularly in learning how to structure their day, organize time, and balance work with other hobbies and interests. Theo is an extremely intelligent and committed individual, and it is an honor for the BroadFutures team to watch them grow!
Apply to the Summer Strengths Program! Program Dates: June 20th – July 21st | Monday – Thursday, 11:00am – 2:00pm EDT
Innovative & interactive curriculum for alternative learners focusing on college and career readiness:
All curriculum is delivered in an interactive and innovative format that implements strategies for neurodiverse learners with the integration of the arts, collaborative projects and the inclusion of mindfulness and yoga techniques.
Curriculum Overview:
Cost: $2,900 | Scholarships available based on need. *Be sure to indicate “Strengths” on the application
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Apply to our Summer 2022 Internship Program Program Dates: June 6th - August 5th, 2022 Application Deadline: March 15th, 2022 ![]() Interested in becoming an employer partner? Please join our group of inspired employers looking to include neurodiverse talent!!!
The Winter 2022 Internship Program is off to a strong start! ![]() Our interns are hard at work at their respective internship sites. Most of them have already completed three weeks of internships with much success and we are thrilled with how motivated, engaged, and open to feedback the interns have been so far as they navigate the workplace. Keep it up!
Similarly, our Winter Strengths cohort is working hard! ![]() We are a little over halfway through the Winter Strengths Program! This program's cohort is full of talented, smart, and determined individuals. We have been busy - from engaging in the drama curriculum, to participating in yoga sessions, to hearing from multiple guest speakers, the participants are learning valuable college and career readiness skills. With only two weeks to go, we know they will finish out the program strong!
Upcoming Events Open to all BroadFutures current Winter Interns & Strengths Participants, and Alumni Note: The Walking Monument Tour has changed to Wednesday, March 23rd. ![]() Please email Carole (ctrevey@broadfutures.org) and let us know which event(s) you plan on coming to, along with a picture of your vaccination card (with the booster) if you have not already submitted it. You must have proof of vaccination to attend any in-person events!
Staff Spotlight - Carole Trevey ![]() Carole Trevey serves as the Program and Communications Coordinator for BroadFutures. In this role, she creates lasting relationships with interns and participants by providing support in their professional and personal development. In addition, Carole works tirelessly to support staff members and the vision of the program through her diligence and commitment to BroadFutures' mission. When asked about why she likes working at BroadFutures, Carole said "Working at BroadFutures is such a great experience because I get to wear so many hats. From connecting with interns and participants, to overseeing the admissions process, to creating flyers and social media posts, I truly feel like I am making a difference within this amazing organization.” Thanks for all of your hard work, Carole!
Employer Partner Spotlight - Office of Congressman Trone ![]() Congressman David Trone has served as the congressman of Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District since the beginning of 2019. Congressman Trone is a member on the Education and Labor, Foreign Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees. He is dedicated to continuously fighting to make advancements on pressing issues including the opioid epidemic, the criminal justice reform, and providing funding for mental health research.
Congressman Trone is dedicated to ensuring people with disabilities have equal access and opportunities for success, which is one of the many reasons why we are grateful for our partnership with his office, beginning in the summer of 2019. They are currently hosting a BroadFutures intern, who is supervised by Gray Yachup, Constituent Services Representative and Intern Coordinator. “It is an absolute pleasure working with BroadFutures," said Gray. "Their stellar training results in excellent interns, and the support and assistance they give to both the interns and the host office make it a wonderful experience for everyone involved." Thanks, Gray, for those kind words! We look forward to our ongoing successful partnership. You can learn more about Congressman Trone here.
Intern Spotlight - Kyia Grays ![]() Meet Kyia for our next Intern Spotlight! Kyia is a 19-year-old from just outside of Denver, Colorado. She is participating in the Winter 2022 Internship Program before she goes back to Claflin University in South Carolina, where she is majoring in Political Science. Kyia is gaining experience in the political sphere this winter by interning in the Office of Senator Chuck Schumer. So far Kyia has thoroughly enjoyed her internship. She has already worked on a variety of tasks, giving her the opportunity to improve upon her professional workplace skills. Her biggest takeaway so far is that "communication is key in order to create and build relationships" within the workplace.
Kyia, it sounds like you are doing an excellent job. We look forward to seeing all that you accomplish throughout your internship!
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![]() THANK YOU to our amazing community for supporting us this past year! 2021 was a very successful year for us despite all the incredible challenges of Covid. Please keep your eye out for our Impact Report coming next month.
A Few Exciting Changes to the BroadFutures Team A Warm Welcome to Charlotte Morse ![]() We are very excited to welcome Charlotte Morse to the BroadFutures team! Charlotte is joining our team as a Senior Program Associate, providing overall support for our programs and serving as a mentor for BroadFutures interns. Charlotte’s experience as a special education teacher informs her passion for disability justice in schools and in all other communities, including the workplace. She has worked closely with students with learning and related disabilities, supporting and empowering them in their academic, social, and professional development. Before coming to BroadFutures, Charlotte worked as a special education teacher with D.C. Public Schools, where she was recognized as Teacher of the Year at Eliot-Hine Middle School for School Year 2020-2021 and awarded the Highly Effective Teacher Distinction by District of Columbia Public Schools for School Year 2019-2020. Charlotte has also worked as a policy intern with PAVE (Parents Amplifying Voices in Education), a research intern with CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology), and an advising assistant at American University College of Arts & Sciences. Charlotte received her B.A. from American University in Public Health with a minor in Education Studies. She is currently working on her Master of Science in Education at Johns Hopkins. Charlotte is originally from Boston, Massachusetts and currently resides in Washington, D.C.. A Bittersweet Farewell to Alexa Weidanz ![]() Alexa started working for BroadFutures four and a half years ago and has been an incredible member of our team. She has proven herself to be a passionate, dedicated, insightful team member, who is always calm, cool and collected. She has had such a positive impact on our participants, as well as our organization and we are deeply grateful for her hard work and dedication. Alexa is leaving the Washington, D.C. area to purse new adventures, and while we are sad to see you go, we are excited for you and wish you the best of luck in your new opportunities!! Don’t be a stranger!!! We will miss you.
Announcing a new partnership with General Dynamics ![]() BroadFutures is proud to announce our partnership with General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS), a global aerospace and defense company. This summer we are launching a pilot internship program with GDMS. GDMS has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and sought out a partnership as they recognize that the use of traditional recruitment practices can inadvertently create barriers for some neurodivergent people. BroadFutures will vett and support the young people in their internships while also educating and supporting GDMS team members in how to empower neurodivergent talent.
If you are interested in interning with GDMS this summer, apply through our website and be sure to click “General Dynamics” when indicating which program you are applying for. You can learn more about General Dynamics here.
Introducing our Winter 2022 intern cohort ![]() This month we successfully kicked off our 14th internship program! This intern cohort is full of inspiring young people from all over the country. They each have unique talents, skills, and passions, and we look forward to see what they accomplish during their internships. We are currently in the middle of the initial training portion of our program and ensuring they all feel ready to begin their internships starting in February.
Thank you to our employer partners We are so excited to welcome two new employer partners, Mi Vida & Special Olympics! Mi Vida is a popular restaurant serving Mexican cuisine at the District Wharf, and Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. ![]() We are equally as thrilled to welcome back 8 employer partners! ![]()
Join us for an Information Session: Wednesday, February 23rd, 4:00 – 5:00pm EST Interested in learning more about our Summer 2022 Internship Program? Join us for an information session to answer any questions you have. Please RSVP to ctrevey@broadfutures.org in order to receive the Zoom link.
Apply to our Summer 2022 Internship Program Program Dates: June 6th – August 5th, 2022 Application Deadline: March 15th, 2022 ![]() Interested in becoming an employer partner? Please join our group of inspired employers looking to include neurodiverse talent!!!
Alumni Intern Spotlight – Cole Beaty ![]() We are excited to feature Cole Beaty as an alumni intern! A 23-year-old from the San Francisco Bay Area, Cole recently graduated from Southern Oregon University with a degree in Political Science. This past summer he participated in our Summer 2021 Internship Program, where he interned with the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS). We are very excited to welcome back Cole as an alumni intern, where he will be interning with the Brookings Institution. Cole, we look forward to supporting you through your internship and we look forward to seeing all that you accomplish!
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Happy Holidays from the BroadFutures team! ![]()
An End of Year Message from our CEO, Carolyn Jeppsen As I look back on 2021 l am filled with pride thinking about all that BroadFutures has accomplished – against all odds. I am so grateful to our incredibly supportive, generous, and inspired community. We are only thriving because of all of you.
Small nonprofits have suffered greatly with the challenges imposed by COVID-19, especially those like BroadFutures whose work depends on in-person programming. Yet here we are, growing, expanding and continuing to serve our community. Over the past year we have served 33 young people from all over the country through our internship and expanded Strengths programs and dozens more through our outreach efforts. We have extended our reach nationally by speaking at conferences, webinars and information sessions. We were able to come together in person as a community this fall, holding one of our most successful fundraisers to date.
As we look to 2022, I see our efforts focused on creating new partnerships and initiatives to spread the opportunities for neurodiverse young people as well as support for employers in understanding the talent and promise of those who think and learn differently. In doing so, we continue to be laser focused on creating a diverse and vibrant workplace for all. So thanks to all of you for helping to build up and support BroadFutures during this critical time and wishing you a very happy and joy filled holiday season and New Year! ![]() ![]() CEO/President/Co-Founder
Consider a donation to BroadFutures this December Your gift will lead to a young person’s success Thanks to all of you for helping to revolutionize the workplace. Please consider an end of year gift that will last long into the New Year by ensuring we are able to continue to serve the young people who are at the heart of our mission. Your thoughtful support provides vital tools and resources for those who learn differently. Thank you.
Intern & Employer Spotlights – Alex Mentzell & TASH Alex continues to work with TASH past his internship this summer ![]() Alex, a 21-year-old from Takoma Park, Maryland, participated in the BroadFutures Summer 2021 Internship Program. He did an excellent job interning at TASH, a disability advocacy organization that works to advocate for human rights and inclusion for people with significant disabilities and support needs. TASH has been a partner with BroadFutures since 2018. This summer, Alex helped with a variety of tasks during his internship, and was especially helpful with video editing. Alex’s work was so helpful that his absence was significantly noticed when his internship ended – so TASH decided to bring him back on! “Alex did such a great job when he was an intern,” said Donald Taylor, Membership & Communications Manager at TASH, as well as Alex’s supervisor, “so we knew he would continue to do a great job if we asked him back.” Donald went on to talk about Alex’s strengths, including his communication skills, as well as his talent for being able to trim down a longer video into the most important bits.
So far, Alex has been working on a project called Michigan Storytellers for Change, which involves “editing interviews to help disabled people in Michigan advocate for themselves and their community,” said Alex. “I felt very appreciated at TASH, and I am so grateful they brought me back on to help them with the Michigan Storytellers for Change project.” This project will most likely be expanded to interviewing people in California. Alex will assist with editing these interviews as well.
In between editing videos for TASH, Alex is planning on taking classes this upcoming spring semester at Montgomery College. Alex, keep up the good work!!
Upcoming Virtual Information Session: Friday, January 7th | 12:00 – 1:00pm EST Interested in learning more about our Winter 2022 Strengths Program or our Summer 2022 Internship Program? Join us for an information session to answer any questions you have. Please RSVP to ctrevey@broadfutures.org in order to receive the Zoom link.
Secure your spot in our Virtual Winter Strengths Program! ![]() Innovative & interactive curriculum for alternative learners focusing on college and career readiness:
All curriculum is delivered in an interactive and innovative format that implements strategies for neurodiverse learners with the integration of the arts, collaborative projects and the inclusion of mindfulness and yoga techniques.
Curriculum Overview:
Program Dates: February 7th – March 10th | Monday – Thursday, 11:00am – 2:00pm EST Cost: $2,900 | Scholarships available based on need. Apply to our Summer 2022 Internship Program Program Dates: June 6th – August 5th, 2022 Application Deadline: March 15th, 2022 Interested in gaining valuable internship experience this summer? Apply today! ![]() Interested in becoming an employer partner? Please join our group of inspired employers looking to include neurodiverse talent!!! |