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...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Supporting Girls & Women
Identity girls and women received new socks, tank tops, underwear, and bras from ISupportTheGirls. 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!
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MSG Cares
Thank you to the Manhattan Strategy Group, whose employees donated surplus office supplies to newly enrolled students connected to Identity-managed high school-based Wellness Centers.
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