This June, Identity youth and families came together to celebrate their accomplishments

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July 2023
Congratulations Grads!
This June, Identity youth and families came together to celebrate their accomplishments. Our GED students who earned their degrees experienced a full graduation ceremony and dinner at the Universities of Shady Grove with their families. Staff cheered on seniors at our four Wellness Centers and 8 Bridge to Wellness programs to mark their high school graduations, and Parent Leadership Academy participants celebrated their year-long training in leadership, advocacy, community building and navigating the school system.

New Wellness Center at JFK

Identity is excited to announce the opening of a new Wellness Center at John F. Kennedy High School, in partnership with 480 Club, Emerging Triumphantly, and True Connection Counseling. We are excited to establish the new center as a safe space for JFK students to connect to trusted adults and peers, enjoy after-school programs, enrichment activities, field trips and recreation as well as access non-clinical emotional support groups and clinical health and mental health support. Read more... ([link removed])

Identity's 1st Entrepreneurship Expo

Budding entrepreneurs pitched their small business start-ups, from custom-made piñatas and mobile mani-pedis and pet grooming to catering and financial coaching to a crowd of 70 guests as part of Identity’s year-long Entrepreneurship Program. At this very first Expo, 15 participants set up displays and fielded questions about their business plans. Read More... ([link removed])

Honors on World Refugee Day

On World Refugee Day, the Montgomery County Council recognized a coalition of organizations, including Identity, helping refugees find hope and opportunities. Councilmembers Kate Stewart and Will Jawando presented a proclamation affirming the right of refugees to be safe. In the past two years, Identity has helped nearly 2,000 refugees and their families. Read More and watch ([link removed])
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Backpack Supply Drive Needs You!

Please join friends of Identity who have already donated school supplies and signed up to volunteer at our 3^rd Annual Back to School Supply Drive. Check out our WISHLIST and VOLUNTEER ([link removed]) opportunities here. We're on our way to filling backpacks for 800 of our young people, many of whom are new to the school system or have fragile connections to their education. And the benefit is more than just the supplies, but the opportunity for personal connection and check-in with Identity staff. Join us! ([link removed])
Special thanks to our Amigo Sponsors: longtime friends and allies, the Jewish Community Relations Council ([link removed]) and newer friends and neighbors, The Manhattan Strategy Group’s MSG Cares ([link removed]) .

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Mil Gracias!

Mil Gracias to KINDWORKS ([link removed]) for fueling our Summer Growing Season with a huge donation of activity kits, craft materials, sports equipment and self-reflection journals!, Mil Gracias to ST. JOHN'S NORWOOD CHURCH ([link removed]) for continuing to support newcomers to Montgomery County by creating a comfy home for 8 newcomers with donated furniture and bedding! Mil Gracias to the next generation of philanthropists at Summit Hall Elementary School, who chose to support Identity through THE GIVING SQUARE ([link removed]) Kids for Kids Fund program! And Mil Gracias to SHIMMER SALON AND SPA ([link removed]) for gathering hundreds of essential hygiene items for newcomer youth and families!

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We send updates periodically to friends of Identity and individuals who have supported our work.

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