Newsletters Archives - Page 2 of 8

August 2022 Newsletter

Posted on August 31, 2022 | by Carole Trevey

August 2022 Newsletter

Congratulations to our Summer 2022 Interns!

On August 5th, we celebrated the successful completion of our first in-person Summer internship program since the start of the pandemic. Congratulations to all of our interns for your amazing work and the progress you made this summer! We are proud of all of your well-earned accomplishments and are excited to hear about your successes in the future.

We are grateful to all of our new and returning employer partners for hosting our interns and providing them with invaluable experiences and support. We are also thankful to our parents, staff and donors for their partnership in ensuring a successful summer program. We appreciate those who took time out of their busy work days to join our final intern presentations and employer recognition. We feel fortunate to have this incredibly supportive community!

Save the Date

PLEASE JOIN US & BECOME a SPONSOR for our

New Opportunities, New Impact Fall Gala

by September 15 to be included on our Invitation

Click here to access the Fall 2022 Gala Campaign Page

Upcoming Virtual Information Session:

Thursday, September 15th | 12:00 – 1:00pm EDT

Interested in learning more about our 2023 Internship Programs? Join us for an information session to answer any questions you have. Register here.

Learn more on our website here.

Employer Partner Spotlight – InterContinental Washington D.C. The Wharf

This month we would like to spotlight The InterContinental Hotel. We have a long partnership with the InterContinental hand have placed interns at both the InterContinental-The Wharf, as part of our partnership with the DC Wharf. and at The InterContinental – The Willard. Through our partnership the InterContinental has hosted 16 interns and this year hired on one of our winter interns full time!!! This year we will be recognizing the InterContinental with our Champion Award at our Fall Gala.

When asked to reflect on her work with BroadFutures thus far, Kathryn Markey of The Wharf remarked that, “The Wharf values its partnership with BroadFutures as part of our ongoing commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Summer 2022 BroadFutures interns made a positive impact at our hotel – not only did they show up ready to work and eager to learn, but they consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic consistent with the level of service that we portray. We look forward to continued opportunities to work more closely together.”

We look forward to a continued partnership with The InterContinental Hotel – both at the Willard and The Wharf and are so grateful for our partnership.

July 2022 Newsletter

Posted on August 3, 2022 | by Carole Trevey

July 2022 Newsletter

Save the Date

BECOME a SPONSOR for our

New Opportunities, New Impact Fall Gala

October 22nd, 2022 | 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Click here to access the Fall 2022 Gala Campaign Page

Summer Internship Program Update

Our Summer 2022 program has been in full swing with our interns successfully completing 6 weeks of their internships. They are geared up to finish their final week! During Friday Training, interns have been returning to our office to engage in curriculum on leadership, self-advocacy, accepting and responding to feedback, and hearing from awesome guest speakers such as GettingHired, a platform that connects diverse talent pools to employers who are committed to inclusion. We are incredibly proud of our interns as we continue to receive positive employer feedback and hear about their incredible learning experiences. Check out this video that features a reflection on Anthony’s favorite part of being in the BroadFutures program so far.

General Dynamics Mission Systems Pilot Program

Our Pilot with General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) that we announced earlier this year is in full swing this summer. Our partnerships span the county with four different offices in Arizona, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Our model has provided our young people with the incredible opportunity to be a part of GDMS’s important work. Our team has been working closely with both GDMS supervisors and our interns to foster a productive and accessible work experience for all. We have provided support for the application and interview process as well as comprehensive neurodiversity training and support for GDMS staff. This focused approach has allowed us to provide strategies to better support our interns’ success as well as the growing capacity of our GDMS partners! We are excited and grateful for this inspired partnership.

Thank You to All of our Summer 2022 Employer Partners!

We are so grateful to our incredible employer partners. We are celebrating a successful return to in-person programming, which is our first in over two and a half years. It would not be possible without their commitment to our mission. Thank you!

Employer Partner Spotlight – United Bank

This month, our employer spotlight is United Bank. United Bank is one of our newest employer partners and has been serving the D.C. metropolitan area for over 180 years and across 222 locations. In addition to being one of the premier banking options in the area, United Bank has been giving back to the community with philanthropic projects in affordable housing, education, financial literacy and economic vitality.

When asked to reflect on their partnership with BroadFutures thus far, United Bank team members Amilcar Ayala and Amy Goumbala shared, “Our partnership with BroadFutures has allowed us to coach and develop an up-and-coming young professional to be his best and to learn how personal finance and the banking system works. It is an honor to guide our youth to the path of success. Anthony is a smart and talented young man, we enjoyed having him on the team and appreciate the great contributions he has made to United Bank.”

We look forward to a continued partnership with United Bank. Visit their website here.

2023 Program Information

June 2022 Newsletter

Posted on July 5, 2022 | by Carole Trevey

June 2022 Newsletter

Introducing Our SUMMER 2022 Intern Cohort!!!

Our interns successfully completed their initial two-week training on June 18th, building a wonderful community of peers and building relationships with our staff. They engaged in our interactive professionalism and communications curriculum that covers a broad range of topics including first impressions, verbal and non-verbal communication, self-advocacy, disability disclosure, and taking the perspective of others. We also engaged in mock interviews, elevator pitches and heard from outside presenters. We continue to integrate the arts as well as mindfulness. Our interns finished their last day of training with presentations on what they learned during training and what they are looking forward to in their internships.

Our interns are ending the month with two weeks of successful internships!! They continue to push themselves and grow as professionals and we are receiving such positive feedback from both our employers and our interns. We cannot wait to see all of the incredible work they will accomplish over the summer.

Keep an eye out next month when we will introduce our Summer class in more detail!!

Meet the New Members of Our Team!

Andrea Latoni

Andrea serves as Program Associate working with interns as a mentor and providing general program support. Andrea is passionate about ensuring that everybody is able to reach their potential and is deeply committed to BroadFutures’ mission. She previously worked as an intern at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and as a Student Assistant at the Latin American Ephemera Collection in the Princeton University Library. She recently graduated with honors from Princeton University with a B.A. in Anthropology. Andrea is from Puerto Rico and currently resides in Washington, D.C. When asked about why she is excited to work at BroadFutures, Andy shared that she is “excited to learn more about nonprofit work and to help the wonderful young people that we serve expand their potential.”

Austin Colorite

Austin serves as a Program Associate working with interns as a mentor and providing general program support. With two family members who have learning disabilities, he believes in the importance of an organization like BroadFutures. Before joining BroadFutures, Austin worked as a Research Assistant at the Liechtenstein Institute on Self Determination. His work focused on global migration governance and the use of individuals as pawns for states. He graduated from Princeton University in 2021 with a degree in Public & International Affairs. His previous experience as a Residential Advisor during undergrad has prepared him for peer-to-peer mentoring and taught him how to cultivate space for people of a variety of backgrounds. Austin is originally from Michigan, but currently lives in Washington D.C. When asked about why he is excited to work at BroadFutures, Austin shared “I’m excited to be working for an organization whose mission means something and in particular to be working with interns to gain the skills they need to thrive in the workplace.”

Matthew Kuenne

Matthew is a summer intern for BroadFutures supporting program and outreach efforts. As a student with a learning disability as well as a supportive family member of people with disabilities, the BroadFutures mission is very personal and important to him. He is currently entering his senior year at Princeton University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. He also has a rigorous writing course load, including a screenwriting course with writer and disability advocate, Maysoon Zayid. Matthew has an 8 year professional acting career and writes for a late-night comedy show, All-Nighter, on Princeton’s campus. Matthew lives in Princeton with his family and hopes to pursue a career in screenwriting and acting.

Molly McGovern

Molly is a summer intern for BroadFutures supporting our social media and graphic design efforts. She is a graphic design major at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, and is passionate about using her graphic design skills to make the world a place with more acceptance and kindness. Molly is our first BroadFutures Alumni intern to be hired!!! Before joining the BroadFutures team, she participated in our Winter 2022 Program as a graphic design intern with the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE). Molly is thrilled to be working directly with the BroadFutures team after completing the BroadFutures internship program last winter. She shared that “It is deeply gratifying to do work that furthers [our] amazing mission.”

Alumni Intern Spotlight

This month, we are proud to feature BroadFutures alumni Sam Flood, who has participated in several BroadFutures programs. He has completed two internships programs, one with The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) and another with the Small Business Administration (SBA). Sam also participated in our inaugural Summer Strengths program. Since completing our programs, Sam has been focusing on his passion for writing and has produced a series of eight Fated Journey Books. Though he has not found a publisher yet, we are excited and eagerly looking forward to all of his future success as an author. Along with his fantasy series, Sam has begun to write about his personal journey with his disability. He shared, “My story has lots of twists and turns but ultimately despite the doubters (one doctor said I’d never graduate High School let alone college and might need to be institutionalized) and uncertainty I graduated from college and joined your program at BroadFutures.”

In addition to his writing, Sam also works at a wine and cheese shop engaging with customers on a daily basis and employing the communication skills he developed during his time with BroadFutures. When reflecting on his experience with us, Sam noted, “Not only has BroadFutures taught me how to function in a work environment, but how to function within a city as well. BroadFutures helped me a lot in being a better employee at work and living on my own.” We are very proud of Sam and look forward to keeping up with his personal and professional journey.

Employer Partner Spotlight – Synergy Enterprises, Inc.

This month, we want to shine the spotlight on one of our newest employer partners, Synergy Enterprises, Inc.! Synergy Enterprises, Inc. (Synergy) is a woman-owned small business. They are a team of diverse and dedicated individuals who bring subject matter expertise, customized technology tools, and award-winning communications services to projects that connect and strengthen people, programs, communities, and countries. Since its creation in 2003, Synergy focuses on issues related to public education, public health, and other critical social programs that enrich the opportunities of individuals, communities, and populations that are under-served or at-risk. Our intern with SEI is currently working on providing technical support for the Y4Y project, which focuses on providing professional learning and technical assistance for Community Learning Centers. You can learn more about the project here.

When asked to reflect on their partnership with BroadFutures thus far, Synergy shared, “BroadFutures made integrating Louis with our team so easy! The weekly check-in calls help us focus on what we can be doing to help Louis when giving new assignments, and provide us with valuable insight as we work with him.”

We look forward to a continued partnership with them. Visit their website here.

2023 Programs Information Session

May 2022 Newsletter

Posted on June 28, 2022 | by Carole Trevey

May 2022 Newsletter

Getting Ready for our Summer Internship Program

Our Internship Program starts next week and we are excited to welcome our first class to join us in person since Winter 2020! We are grateful for the opportunity to work with an incredibly talented and motivated group of young people coming from all across the United States. We are equally grateful to be partnering this summer with an amazing group of employer partners.

We are excited to welcome three new employer partners: The Red Cross, Synergy Enterprises, Inc. (SEI) and United Bank.

AES Corporation, American Institutes for Research (AIR), Brookings Institution, Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), The Cormac Group, Concord Hospitality at The District Wharf (Canopy and Hyatt Hotels), CBRE, The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB), Discovery Channel, Enterprise, Girl Scouts, InterContinental Hotel, Mi Vida, Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID), and TASH, THANK YOU for partnering with us! We could not do what we do without your dedication to our mission.

Our New HOME!!!!

2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW #7000, Washington, D.C.

On May 17th, we celebrated the opening of our new office space. The new location is just a short walk from our old space and on the GW campus! Thank you to all who came to join us – we are so excited to begin this chapter in such a bright, beautiful space!

A Fond Farewell to Carole!

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Carole Trevey and wish her the best of luck as she builds upon her communications experience here at BroadFutures and transitions to Marketing Assistant at Keller and Heckman LLP. Carole, we are so grateful for the incredible impact you have made here during your time at BroadFutures. We will miss you terribly but are so excited for this next chapter in your professional career. Do not be a stranger and please stay in touch!!

…and we are excited to welcome several new staff members in June!

Intern Spotlight – Bee

Meet Bee Megginson! Bee is a 23-year-old from Maryland. She recently wrapped up her internship working with Congressman David Trone. While interning in his District Office, Bee engaged constituents on a variety of topics, while also communicating with the advisory board and completing briefings about current events for the congressman. Bee is a highly impressive young person, who one day hopes to become a dance choreographer or work as an administrator at a nonprofit or lobbying group. We are so proud of Bee, and so excited to see what she does next!

In case you missed it… check out our 2021 Impact Report!

April 2022 Newsletter

Posted on June 28, 2022 | by Carole Trevey

April 2022 Newsletter

Congratulations to the Winter 2022 Interns!

Interns from the Winter 2022 Internship Program have officially completed the program and their internships! We celebrated by inviting interns’ families and supervisors to hear Final Presentations from each intern. They did such a fantastic job. To all of the interns, we are so proud of all of your accomplishments and we cannot wait to hear about your future successes!

And to our fabulous employer partners: APSE, Brookings Institution, Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB), Mi Vida, Smithsonian Center for Folklife & Cultural Heritage, Special Olympics of Maryland, Willard InterContinental, The Office of Senator Schumer, and The Office of Congressman Trone, THANK YOU for partnering with us! We could not do what we do without your dedication to our mission.

Upcoming Information Session

Wednesday, May 25th | 12:00 – 1:00pm EDT

Interested in learning more about the Winter 2023 Internship Program?

Join us for a virtual Information Session! RSVP to Charlotte (cmorse@broadfutures.org) to receive the Zoom link.

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:

Program participants complete the program with the tools, strategies and communication skills for navigating remote learning and the virtual workspace.
Participants also learn how to search for jobs, network, and interview.
Participants leave the program with a resume and LinkedIn profile.
Most importantly, program participants learn how to effectively disclose their disability or learning style and ask for supports needed to be successful in school and in the workplace.

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:

Navigating remote learning and the virtual workplace
Creating your elevator pitch
Mock interviews
Learn the art of resume writing and cover letters
Self-advocacy
Professional communication
Disclosure & accommodations/ appropriate supports in the workplace & school
Managing the job search process for success
How to collaborate with a team effectively online

Cost:

$2,900 | Scholarships available based on need.

Apply for the Summer Strengths Program

*Be sure to indicate “Strengths” on the application

In case you missed it… check out our 2021 Impact Report!

March 2022 Newsletter

Posted on March 31, 2022 | by Carole Trevey

March 2022 Newsletter

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:

Program participants complete the program with the tools, strategies and communication skills for navigating remote learning and the virtual workspace.
Participants also learn how to search for jobs, network, and interview.
Participants leave the program with a resume and LinkedIn profile.
Most importantly, program participants learn how to effectively disclose their disability or learning style and ask for supports needed to be successful in school and in the workplace.

Curriculum Overview:

Navigating remote learning and the virtual workplace
Creating your elevator pitch
Mock interviews
Learn the art of resume writing and cover letters
Self-advocacy
Professional communication
Disclosure & accommodations/ appropriate supports in the workplace & school
Managing the job search process for success
How to collaborate with a team effectively online

Cost:

$2,900 | Scholarships available based on need.

Apply for the Summer Strengths Program

*Be sure to indicate “Strengths” on the application

February 2022 Newsletter

Posted on February 28, 2022 | by Carole Trevey

February 2022 Newsletter

Apply to our Summer 2022 Internship Program

Program Dates: June 6th - August 5th, 2022

Application Deadline: March 15th, 2022

Apply for the Summer Internship Program

Watch our most recent
Information Session

Interested in becoming an employer partner?

Please join our group of inspired employers looking to include neurodiverse talent!!!

Learn More

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!

January 2022 Newsletter

Posted on January 31, 2022 | by Carole Trevey

January 2022 Newsletter

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.

Apply today!

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

Apply for the Summer Internship Program

Interested in becoming an employer partner?

Please join our group of inspired employers looking to include neurodiverse talent!!!

Learn More

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!

December 2021 Newsletter

Posted on December 23, 2021 | by Carole Trevey

December 2021 Newsletter

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.

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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:

Program participants complete the program with the tools, strategies and communication skills for navigating remote learning and the virtual workspace.
Participants also learn how to search for jobs, network, and interview.
Participants leave the program with a resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile.
Most importantly, program participants learn how to effectively disclose their disability or learning style and ask for supports needed to be successful in school and in the workplace.

Curriculum Overview:

Navigating remote learning and the virtual workplace
Creating your elevator pitch
Mock interviews
Learn the art of resume writing and cover letters
Self-advocacy
Professional communication
Disclosure & accommodations/ appropriate supports in the workplace & school
Managing the job search process for success
How to collaborate with a team effectively online

Program Dates:

February 7th – March 10th | Monday – Thursday, 11:00am – 2:00pm EST

Cost:

$2,900 | Scholarships available based on need.

Apply for the Winter Strengths Program

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!

Apply for the Summer Internship Program

Interested in becoming an employer partner?

Please join our group of inspired employers looking to include neurodiverse talent!!!

Learn More

Category: Newsletters

August 2022 Newsletter

July 2022 Newsletter

June 2022 Newsletter

May 2022 Newsletter

April 2022 Newsletter

March 2022 Newsletter

February 2022 Newsletter

January 2022 Newsletter

December 2021 Newsletter

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