Identity's Fall Newsletter

View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed]
October 2023


** Youth Summit Welcomes Newcomers
------------------------------------------------------------
More than 120 recently arrived immigrants from eight Downcounty high schools gathered for the fourth Bienvenidos Cumbre/ Welcome Summit facilitated by teens for teens. The purpose of the Cumbre/Summit is to welcome newly-arrived students to Montgomery County, provide an opportunity for them to bond with other students with shared experiences and introduce them to people and organizations who are here to help them realize their dreams. Seventeen teens from Wheaton, Northwood and Kennedy High Schools, who themselves participated in prior Cumbres/Summits, were trained to co-facilitate circle dialogues.

The Cumbre/Summit was held at Montgomery College's Takoma Park campus and organized by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Positive Youth Development Program and Bienvenidos Initiative in partnership with Montgomery College, Identity, National Center for Children and Families, Catholic Charities and MCPS.

[link removed]

Newest Wellness Center Builds Community
The newest Identity-managed Wellness Center is now up and running at John F. Kennedy High School where staff are working tirelessly to introduce programs and services that support success in school. The WC is already running seven different groups with about 150 students focused on developing healthy relationships and boundaries, skills to manage difficult emotions, and, especially for newcomers, the skills necessary to thrive in a new country. Read More... ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Proud to be Latino
------------------------------------------------------------
To close out Hispanic Heritage Month, staff at the Watkins Mill High School Wellness Center share some of the many reasons why they are proud to be Latino.


** Entrepreneur How-To
------------------------------------------------------------
Twenty-seven budding small business owners concluded Identity’s third multi-session Entrepreneurship Skills training to learn the basics of launching a small business. In the final session, students showcased their dream business ideas, including custom cheesecakes, healthy quinoa cookies, personalized celebration pinatas and a bilingual advertisement agency. Our Workforce Development team will continue to work with the training graduates on their business and start up plans as part of this intensive year-long program.


** Workforce Networking
------------------------------------------------------------
In September, Entrepreneur Skills training graduate Rebecca C. seized an incredible opportunity to showcase her business start-up, JYR Shining Cleaning Services, during the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Minority Contractor Summit. Two other budding entrepreneurs, Araly B. (Leo Automotive) and Leonel G. (Entropy and Negentropy) networked with potential clients while gaining insights into Montgomery County’s procurement process. Thanks to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring Rebecca's booth and making it possible for Araly and Leonel to participate.


** Reuniting Families
------------------------------------------------------------
A new group of parents and youth recently celebrated completion of Identity's Family Reunification program, which helps to reconnect Latino youth and families who have experienced multi-year separations due to immigration. Reunification can pose serious challenges for recently arrived youth who may struggle to adapt to new family dynamics while grieving loved ones left behind. Our program helps youth and parents/guardians improve their empathy, communication and mutual respect, leading to a more cohesive and resilient family.


** Rec in Full Swing
------------------------------------------------------------
Identity's Rec program is in full swing this fall. Boys and girls soccer teams at Gaithersburg High School began training in September, and will test their skills and teamwork in the Montgomery County Soccer for Change League. Two more girls teams at Gaithersburg Middle School are in training and play in the league as well. At Watkins Mill and Wheaton High Schools, our coaches run a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. This program is often the only option for youth to just have fun and be involved in competitive sports, while our coaches teach and model leadership and teamwork skills and connect families to life-saving safety-net services.

[link removed]


** Supporting Girls & Women
------------------------------------------------------------
Identity girls and women received new socks, tank tops, underwear, and bras from ISupportTheGirls ([link removed]) . The undergarments went to teens in the Family Reunification program at Thomas Edison and Wheaton High Schools and to moms of Wheaton's Café para Mama. We appreciate all the businesses that make up ISupporttheGirls, knowing these are also gifts of dignity. Additional thanks to Mujer Fuerza y Coraje and the Wheaton High School Wellness Center for coordinating!
[link removed]


** MSG Cares
------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you to the Manhattan Strategy Group ([link removed]) , whose employees donated surplus office supplies to newly enrolled students connected to Identity-managed high school-based Wellness Centers.


============================================================
** Facebook ([link removed])
** @IdentityYouthMD ([link removed])
** Instagram (@IdentityYouthMD)
** YouTube ([link removed])
** Donate ([link removed])
Copyright © 2023 Identity, All rights reserved.
We send updates periodically to friends of Identity and individuals who have supported our work.

Our mailing address is:
Identity
c/o Nonprofit Village, 15800 Crabbs Branch Way, Suite 300
Rockville, Maryland 20855
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.