Category: Newsletters

August 2020 Newsletter

Posted on | by Caroline Brachman
September 29th – October 30th
  • Develop professional communication and self-advocacy skills.
  • Master effective strategies for managing your time and building your executive functioning skills.
  • Understand your learning style, strengths, and areas of support; learn how to ask for accommodations at school and the workplace.
  • Build and refine your resume; enhance and elevate your LinkedIn profile.
  • Learn the art of writing a strong cover letter.
  • Understand and practice how to ace the interview.
  • Learn financial literacy tips and tricks.
Optional additional 4-week Independent Project or Portfolio: 
October 30th – November 27th
  • Work on an independent project or portfolio with the support of our BroadFutures team.
An innovative delivery of virtual curriculum for alternative learners:
  • Integration of the arts/drama
  • Use of virtual breakout rooms
  • Incorporation of mindfulness/yoga
  • Direct instruction limited to 10-15 minute periods
  • Collaborative projects and presentations
For more information, download the Fall 2020 Strengths Program Flyer here.
Information Session – September 1st | 10:00am EST

Want to learn more about our Fall Strengths Program? Join us for an
information session via Zoom on September 1st, 10:00am EST.

Please click “Register here” to receive the Zoom link for the meeting. Hope to see you there!

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Join us virtually on Thursday, October 22nd 
for BroadFutures Night of Giving!

Registration and sponsorship opportunities coming soon! 
By sponsoring the evening, you can help us to continue our mission of changing lives for young people with learning and related disabilities.
Employer Spotlight – 
The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers


The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB) is a member-based trade association for the world’s top commercial insurance and employee benefits brokerages. With a mission to promote their members’ business growth and drive the industry forward, CIAB prides themselves on being a community of forward-thinkers, leaders, and risk-takers who foster industry-wide relationships around the globe by engaging lawmakers, regulators and stakeholders to promote the interests of its members and the valuable role they play in the mitigation of risk for their clients. 

The Council joined as an employer partner in the winter of 2020, hosting two BroadFutures interns. We are excited to continue our partnership in the future. 

Julia Ruiz, Vice President of Leadership & Management Resources, reflected on CIAB’s experience during our Winter 2020 Program: “Hosting two BroadFutures interns this winter was such a rewarding experience for our office. Even with the sudden switch to working from home, the interns we hosted were motivated to work and continued to provide fresh new perspectives to the work we do. The BroadFutures team provided fantastic support not only to the interns, but to our staff as well.“

Thank you, Julia, for those kind words! We are so happy that even in the switch to working remotely, we were able to successfully see the internships through to the end. We look forward to continuing to work together in the future. You can learn more about CIAB here.
Summer Participant Snapshots – Amonte Gwaltney

Meet Amonte Gwaltney for this month’s participant spotlight! An 18-year-old from Washington, DC, Amonte recently graduated from Kipp DC College Prep this spring. Directly following graduation, he joined us for our first-ever virtual summer program. We thoroughly enjoyed having Amonte participate in the Summer Strengths Program. He proved to be a very engaged, motivated, and empathetic participant, contributing greatly to our summer cohort. 

Amonte enjoyed how the program utilized multiple ways to deliver the curriculum. He appreciated the interactive component of the program, from breakout sessions to playing games to partnered discussions, which really helped solidify the curriculum for him.

Since completing the BroadFutures program, Amonte is now enrolled at Prince George’s Community College and hopes to pursue a career in special education. 

Amonte, we wish you the best of luck in your academic pursuits! We know you will thrive in whatever path you choose to explore.
Spread the Word

Know someone who would be interested in what BroadFutures does?
Know someone who might be interested in applying?

Stay Connected!

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and connect with us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on what we are doing here at BroadFutures.
202-521-4312 | [email protected] | www.broadfutures.org

July 2020 Newsletter

Posted on | by Caroline Brachman
CONGRATULATIONS
to our Summer Strengths Participants!


Earlier this month, we celebrated 15 remarkable participants as they successfully completed our first-ever virtual Summer Strengths Program. The participants, families, and our BroadFutures team gathered together for Final Presentations where we heard smart and confident speeches from the participants, reflecting on the five-week program.  It was an incredibly gratifying experience to see how our participants were able to build a strong and impactful community in a short period of time. We are very proud of their hard work and accomplishments!!

To all of our inspired participants, congratulations on completing the program and we wish you the best of luck in your next steps!!
Summer Participant Snapshots

Meet a couple of our Summer Strengths Participants  that we had the pleasure of working with this summer!
Tariq Gore
Age: 22
Hometown:  Lumberton, New Jersey
Favorite part of the program:  Mock interviews
Plans for the fall:  Starting his senior year at Beacon College, where he is working towards a degree in Graphic Design & Marketing.
Grace Kroese
Age:  18
Hometown:  Derwood, Maryland
Favorite part of the program:  Working with Raymond
Plans for the fall:  Starting school at Montgomery College to pursue an Associate’s degree.
Oscar Held
Age:  23
Hometown:  Ann Arbor, Michigan
Favorite part of the program:  Making friends and new connections
Plans for the fall:  Recently graduated from Landmark College. Oscar plans to enroll in online classes to increase his computer knowledge.
David Taylor
Age:  20
Hometown:  Washington, DC
Favorite part of the program: Drama and yoga
Plans for the fall:  David plans to return to West Virginia Wesleyan for his junior year, pursing a degree in Exercise Science.
Reflections from our Program Director, Ashley Bray


I have been fortunate to serve as the Program Director for the past year. What has been the most inspiring part of this work is seeing the success and transformation of our participants, where thinking differently is not only embraced, but encouraged. Innovation and transformation are at the very core of the work we do and true transformation comes from the ability to meet the moment. For so many young people, navigating the professional and academic worlds can be daunting. Adding in another layer of complexity of doing that exclusively online can be exceedingly challenging.

Enter our Summer Strengths Program. By refocusing our curriculum to specifically address the learning barriers that often arise in the virtual space, we were able to successfully create a community that met individuals where they were. Our curriculum was designed to enhance each person’s unique journey, celebrate our diversity, and encourage us to come together as a community. One of the biggest concerns I had about a virtual program was that our sense of community would be lost. However, the way our summer cohort consistently supported each other was a privilege to witness. Whether it was in mock interviews, during our communications curriculum or when we were being silly playing games – there was a depth of honesty and trust that was shared. This allowed for peer-to-peer feedback and conversations centered around growth and development. I was amazed at how much each participant was able to accomplish because they had the support and strength of each other. The shared experiences and long lasting connections that they were able to create during the program were incredibly moving. For our first cohort in a fully virtual program, they did so much more than just meet the moment. They transformed themselves into leaders whose impact will reverberate far beyond the virtual world.
September 29th – October 30th
  • Develop professional communication and self-advocacy skills.
  • Master effective strategies for managing your time and building your executive functioning skills.
  • Understand your learning style, strengths, and areas of support; learn how to ask for accommodations at school and the workplace.
  • Build and refine your resume; enhance and elevate your LinkedIn profile.
  • Learn the art of writing a strong cover letter.
  • Understand and practice how to ace the interview.
  • Learn financial literacy tips and tricks.
Optional additional 4-week Independent Project  or Portfolio: 
October 30th –  November  27th
  • Work on an independent project or portfolio with the support of our BroadFutures team.
An innovative delivery of virtual curriculum for alternative learners:
  • Integration of the arts/drama
  • Use of virtual breakout rooms
  • Incorporation of mindfulness/yoga
  • Direct instruction limited to 10-15 minute periods
  • Collaborative projects and presentations
For more information, download the Fall 2020 Strengths Program Flyer  here.
Information Session – August 18th

Want to learn more about our Fall Strengths Program? Join us for an information session via Zoom on  August 18th,  10:00am EST.

Please click “Register here” to receive the Zoom link for the meeting. Hope to see you there!

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Celebrating the 30th  Anniversary  of the ADA

 
On July 26th, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. To celebrate this monumental occasion, we shared on social media thoughts from our Summer 2020 participants on why they are grateful for the ADA. This post features AJ from Florida. Check out our social media to see more reflections from our participants’  #ThanksToTheADA moments!


To ensure the success of young people with learning and attention issues, BroadFutures provides Support Services , serving as an additional resource for families on an as needed basis. Our mentoring and coaching program includes executive functioning support , as well as career and educational planning and preparation .

Please review this flyer  for more information and reach out to us if interested. 

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
BroadFutures featured in the 
Catalogue  for Philanthropy’s guest blog

We are thrilled to share our guest blog post on the Catalogue for Philanthropy’s website. “Continuing to Build Our Community Virtually” reflects on the successes and highlights of our first-ever virtual training program.
Spread the Word

Know someone who would be interested in what BroadFutures does?
Know someone who might be interested in applying?

Stay Connected!

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and connect with us on LinkedIn  to stay up to date on what we are doing here at BroadFutures.
202-521-4312 | [email protected]  | www.broadfutures.org

June 2020 Newsletter

Posted on | by Caroline Brachman
Our Summer Strengths Virtual Program is in Full Swing!


We have officially SEIZED the day, pivoted and moved boldly into the broad new horizon of virtual learning and growing!!! In early June we kicked off our first-ever virtual training program with participants from all over the country. Each day is filled with interactive workshops, thoughtful discussions, and curriculum reinforcing games. From practicing writing professional emails to participating in mock interviews to gaining critical communication skills, each activity is intentionally aimed at preparing our participants for college and careers!! We have also heard from many guest speakers, including a panel from the  National Center for Learning Disabilities  Young Adult Leadership Council, Derek Shields talking about the importance of networking, Leah Byrne from  Chevy Chase Trust  with financial literacy tips and tricks, and  Getting Hired . We have also continued to stay true to our mission and integrated the arts, as well as mindfulness and yoga, into the entirety of our program.

Our participants are also learning the increasingly important skill of how to successfully navigate and thrive in the virtual space.  We are looking forward to continuing to learn and grow in this virtual space together!
Announcing our Fall 2020 Strengths Program!

Our Summer Strengths Program has been so successful…. we are holding a Virtual Fall Program as well!!! 

5 week Intensive Strengths Program: 
September 29th – October 30th
  • Develop professional communication and self-advocacy skills.
  • Master effective strategies for managing your time and building your executive functioning skills.
  • Understand your learning style, strengths, and areas of support; learn how to ask for accommodations at school and the workplace.
  • Build and refine your resume; enhance and elevate your LinkedIn profile.
  • Learn the art of writing a strong cover letter.
  • Understand and practice how to ace the interview.
  • Learn financial literacy tips and tricks.
Optional additional 4 week Independent Applied Project  or Portfolio: 
October 30th – November 27th
  • Work on an independent project or portfolio with the support of our BroadFutures team.
An innovative delivery of virtual curriculum for alternative learners:
  • Integration of the arts/drama
  • Use of virtual breakout rooms
  • Incorporation of mindfulness/yoga
  • Direct instruction limited to 10-15 minute periods
  • Collaborative projects and presentations
For more information, download the Fall 2020 Strengths Program Flyer here.

If interested, sign up for the program here.

Information Sessions

Want to learn more about our Fall Program? Join us for an information session via Zoom. We are holding two different sessions:
  • July 21st at 10:00am EST
  • August 18th at 10:00am EST
Please RSVP to [email protected] to receive the Zoom link for these meetings. Hope to see you there!
Employer Spotlight – Peace Corps

The Peace Corps is a service organization for motivated changemakers to immerse themselves in a community abroad by working side-by-side with local leaders to take on the most pressing challenges of our current generation. For over five decades, the Peace Corps’ mission has been to promote world peace and friendship. Additionally, they promote equality of all and their volunteers leave a legacy in the lives of the community members they reach, educate, and ultimately inspire. 

BroadFutures partnered initially with Peace Corps during in 2017 Program,  and rekindled our partnership during our Winter 2020 Program.  We are honored to work with such a large mission-driven service organization dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion of all peoples. 

Tommy Zoppa, Program Support Assistant (OPATS), who supervised one of our BroadFutures interns this winter had wonderful things to say about our intern and his partnership with BroadFutures:

“ Sarah was a fantastic help to the Office of Overseas Programming and Training Support (OPATS). She was well prepared to advocate for herself and work with the office .”  

“It’s great to see an organization like BroadFutures working towards a mission that aligns with the values and mission of the Peace Corps in promoting world peace and friendship. By committing to these young professionals they help create access for the participants as well as for organizations who strive to create inclusive environments. Sometimes the mission can feel overwhelming and one may not know where to start – BroadFutures finds a way to take some of the stress out of recruitment and retention of great interns. Having a group of professionals supporting interns in their personal and professional growth was such a help. The team at BroadFutures is a valuable resource and we look forward to partnering with them again.”

Thanks, Tommy for this incredible statement of support!! We are very grateful and look forward to our ongoing partnership with the Peace Corps again. Learn more about the Peace Corps  here.
Intern Spotlight – Arielle Guedalia

This month we are excited to feature an alumni intern from our Winter 2020 Program, Arielle Guedalia from Alexandria, VA!  Arielle’s genuine positivity, enthusiasm, and inclusive nature added a breath of fresh air to the winter cohort. Arielle interned at Atlas Corps, where she played a significant role in vetting and interviewing candidates for their international fellowship program. Arielle’s strong communication skills made her an asset both at her internship and within our training program. Her favorite part of the BroadFutures program was meeting so many new people,  including other BroadFutures interns as well as her colleagues at Atlas Corps. 

Since graduating from the BroadFutures Program, Arielle has been focused on going back to her academics, enrolling in online classes at Northern Virginia Community College, taking English and Psychology classes, which according to Arielle are going very, very well!!

Arielle, we are so happy to hear that you are going back to school. We wish you the best of luck finishing your classes, and we cannot wait to hear about even more of your successes in the future!
SPREAD THE WORD
Know someone who would be interested in what BroadFutures does?
Know someone who might be interested in applying?

STAY CONNECTED!

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and connect with us on LinkedIn  to stay up to date on what we are doing here at BroadFutures.
202-521-4312 | [email protected]  | www.broadfutures.org

May 2020 Newsletter

Posted on | by Caroline Brachman
A Message from our CEO

When I last reached out, we were in the middle of our Winter Program, having swiftly moved our program into the virtual space after it became clear it was no longer safe to meet, learn, or work in person. Since that time, due to the talent and energy of our team, we successfully graduated another magnanimous class of BroadFutures interns. While we all miss our offices and training rooms amidst the beautiful George Washington University campus, we are buoyed by a robust sense of community. To that end, I cannot express how sincerely grateful I am to our community and the response to our needs during this challenging time. We are so grateful to all of you for your generosity of heart and spirit.
 
As I reflect on the past couple of months and look forward to the summer, I am acutely aware of how much has changed. I am acutely aware that this summer will present us with a very different landscape for serving the young people in our program. I am acutely aware that for a program whose model is centered on the importance of human face-to-face interaction, communication, and empowerment, we are suddenly thrust into a virtual landscape, which by definition defies all that lies at the core of BroadFutures. However, as an eternal optimist, I am also acutely aware and reminded of the beginning days of BroadFutures, where the drive to create, fill a need, and have impact launched us into a novel space. Our energy was wonder, and our drive a determination to significantly change the outcomes of the young people we hoped to serve. It is that same sense of wonder, drive, and energy that fills me now as we embark on a new horizon, where we will not only be helping young people to learn, understand, and create virtually, but we will also be helping them to excel in a world that may be forever changed. 
 
As perpetual innovators, we are thrilled to be rolling out our Summer Strengths Career and College Readiness Program. The young people we serve will NOT be left behind.  They will continue to amaze us, and to thrive. We are indebted to our community for standing behind us, helping to propel our innovative engine into these unprecedented times we find ourselves in.  With gratitude and hope that we can all move forward together, with courage. Onward!!!
Sign up today!


Navigating the New Normal: 
Preparing for success in the new virtual landscape and beyond…

5 week intensive and interactive program focusing on college and career readiness.

Not just your average virtual program.
An innovative delivery of virtual curriculum for alternative learners, designed to be highly interactive:
  • Integration of the arts/drama
  • Use of virtual breakout rooms
  • Incorporation of yoga/mindfulness
  • Direct instruction limited to 10-15 minute periods
  • Collaborative projects & presentations
To learn more, visit this page on our website, 
or attend our virtual information session on May 26th at 11am (see below).

If interested in signing up for the program, please fill out this form.
Download a flyer with more information  here.

We are so excited for the summer and hope to see your name in the sign up sheet!
Information Session – May 26th
Join us to find out more about our Summer Strengths Program!


We will go over what to expect from the program, as well as answer any questions you have.

If interested in attending, please join the Zoom link here. Hope to see you then!
Thank you!!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who gave, shared, and supported BroadFutures during the #GiveLocalTogether campaign on May 5th!! We were so grateful to be able to participate in this event which was part of #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving in response to COVID-19. With support from 129 donors, we surpassed our goal and raised $37,528.00, raising the most out of all the nonprofits participating! Additionally, we came in fifth place for having the highest number of unique donors. Each contribution will have a significant impact on our ability to continue our mission to serve and empower young people with learning disabilities during these uncertain times.

Employer Spotlight – TASH


This month we have the pleasure of highlighting TASH for our Employer Spotlight.  TASH is a disability advocacy organization that works to advocate for human rights and inclusion for people with significant disabilities and support needs. TASH works to advance inclusive communities by engaging in advocacy, research, professional development, policy, and information and resources. They also host annual conferences to share resources and connect with others in the disability field.

We first partnered with TASH during the Summer 2018 Program, and they have been an employer partner in every program since. We are very grateful for their partnership! Ruthie-Marie Beckwith, TASH’s Executive Director, shared: “For the past three years, BroadFutures has been a tremendous partner in promoting TASH’s mission of ensuring equity, opportunity and inclusion for all individuals with disabilities. The dedicated and talented BroadFutures interns have been extremely well trained and supported throughout their placement and provided a tremendous service to the TASH community.“

To Ruthie-Marie and the TASH staff: thank you so much for supporting our interns. We are thrilled to partner with an organization whose mission aligns with ours.  We look forward to continuing our partnership with TASH into the future. Learn more about TASH here.
Intern Spotlight – Scott Mikutsky

Meet Scott Mikutsky, an intern from our Winter 2020 cohort who we are excited to feature in our Intern Spotlight! Scott is from Riva, Maryland and is majoring in engineering at Anne Arundel Community College. He is a bright young man with a great sense of humor, and was a positive contributor to our program this winter. A fantastic problem-solver and creative thinker, Scott is also very knowledgeable about electronics and computers. These skills and knowledge helped him tremendously at his internship with Discovery, Inc. 

Scott enjoyed working with the IT team at Discovery, alongside another  BroadFutures intern. During his internship, Scott learned how to assist with various IT issues, imaged and prepared computers for deployment, and gave two presentations to the IT team. Thinking back on his time in the program, Scott shared with us, ” My favorite part of the program was the valuable experience I gained and the people I was able to meet.”

Scott plans to continue pursuing his degree in engineering from Anne Arundel in the fall. Scott, we wish you the best of luck and can’t wait to hear about your future successes!
SPREAD THE WORD
Know someone who would be interested in what BroadFutures does?
Know someone who might be interested in applying?


STAY CONNECTED!
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and connect with us on LinkedIn  to stay up to date on what we are doing here at BroadFutures.
202-521-4312 | [email protected]  | www.broadfutures.org

April 2020 Newsletter

Posted on | by Caroline Brachman
Congratulations to our 12th Intern Cohort!

Earlier this month, we celebrated the  graduation of our Winter cohort. Our interns, employers, families, and staff joined us for our virtual Final Presentations and Employer Recognition where we heard insightful, heartfelt reflections from our interns on their time at BroadFutures. Our interns showed remarkable adaptability and growth throughout the program, especially with our overnight pivot to working from home. We are so proud of all of their accomplishments!!

We were also profoundly grateful to our employers who joined for the celebration and gave us the opportunity to thank all of them. Their openness and ability to work with our interns on a remote basis was remarkable and underscores the value proposition and promise of our mission. A huge shout out to all our amazing employer partners who make this all possible: Atlas Corps, The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, Discovery, Inc.,The GW Office of Animal Research, NBC Sports Washington, The Office of Congressman Trone, The Office of Senator Van Hollen, Peace Corps, and TASH. We are so appreciative of your commitment to the program and the young people we serve!

Lastly, to all of our talented interns, congratulations on completing your internships ! We wish you the best of luck and can’t wait to see what you accomplish next!!



Introducing our Virtual Summer Strengths Program
June 8th – July 10th

BroadFutures is not able to offer our internship program this summer. However, we are still keeping our doors open – virtually. As an organization that prides itself on innovation, we have swiftly pivoted to reframe our program into the virtual space. 


If interested, please fill out this form by May 15th.

We are so excited for the summer 
and hope to see your name in the sign up sheet!
Mark Your Calendars for #GivingTuesdayNow

On Tuesday, May 5,  BroadFutures is participating in Give Local Together , a campaign hosted by The Catalogue for Philanthropy as part of #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving in response to COVID-19.

Although we are excited about our virtual programming, our inability to maintain our internship program this summer will affect the economic stability of our organization, as well as the community that depends on us. In order to continue to serve the young people who rely on our services and benefit so much from their BroadFutures experience, we need your help.  A gift from you today means we can continue to serve the LD/ADHD community.  

Please visit  https://www.givelocaltogether.org/team/broadfutures on May 5 to  help us out!! We encourage you to give between the hours of 12 and 1pm, our Power Hour. The Catalogue is giving out prizes during that hour and if we get the most number of unique donors during this hour, we will receive an additional $1,000.

Thank you for your anticipated support!!!
Ongoing Mentoring and Support 
Services  for BroadFutures Alumni

In an effort to continue to build upon the gains made during our program,  interns who have successfully completed our program and exhibit a level of motivation for ongoing collaboration with our team, are eligible for our ongoing mentoring program. Please review this flyer for more information and reach out to us if you are interested.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
BroadFutures in the Media

In this article from Prism, our CEO, Carolyn Jeppsen talks about the challenges of working from home for individuals with disabilities that affect their learning and attention.


Intern Spotlight – James Dour

For our April Intern Spotlight, meet James Dour, a graduate of 
George Mason University  with a major in business and a minor in sports management. James is from Arlington, VA and was a wonderful addition to our Winter 2020 cohort. He always provided insightful comments and ideas during our training and proved himself to be a valuable intern at his internship with NBC Sports Washington. James has an incredible memory and is especially knowledgeable when it comes to movies and sports. His sports knowledge has helped him through many jobs, including working at Capitol One Arena, Nationals Park,  and his BroadFutures internship with NBC Sports. During his time at NBC Sports, one of James’ main tasks was reviewing archived footage of a variety of sporting events and adding comments to ensure cataloguing went smoothly. James also created an intern guide and video for NBC Sports describing the history of the organization, as well as a detailed roadmap of what interns can expect working for NBC Sports.

James  reflected on his time with us, commenting, “My favorite part about BroadFutures and my internship has been learning new job skills in an office environment and industry that I feel really passionate about. I also got to participate in this program with a group of other interns who worked at other companies in different industries. It was great connecting with them, learning more about them, and sharing our internship experiences.“

James, it was a pleasure getting to know you. We can’t wait to see what you will  accomplish next!!
SPREAD THE WORD
Know someone who would be interested in what BroadFutures does?
Know someone who might be interested in applying?


STAY CONNECTED!
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and connect with us on LinkedIn  to stay up to date on what we are doing here at BroadFutures.
202-521-4312 | [email protected]  | www.broadfutures.org

March 2020 Newsletter

Posted on | by Caroline Brachman
A Message from our CEO

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Such are the times we find ourselves in amidst the present COVID-19 crisis.  As a program built on the notion that diversity of thought and innovation are the cornerstones to success, BroadFutures is most assuredly mobilizing on our ability to innovate and  see the stars .  I feel so fortunate to be working with the outstanding  group of colleagues at BroadFutures, who are passionately and tirelessly committed to supporting the success of every aspect of our program. Within a period of less than 24 hours, we converted our entire Friday training curriculum to an online format, worked in partnership with our amazing and dedicated employers to secure the majority of our internships in a remote or ongoing capacity, and devised new ways to ensure both our interns and employers remain supported for the duration of our program. We are grateful for the commitment of our employer partners who have worked diligently to devise remote projects for our interns.  We are equally grateful to our families, who remain patient with the present circumstances and provide welcomed words of encouragement for all of us here at BroadFutures. However, most impressive, is the incredible tenacity of our interns. It has been a profound privilege to watch their growth and courage during these times of uncertainty.

As the child of a father who grew up in the depression, fought in World War II, lost a father and two sisters to cancer, and somehow amidst all this received his PhD in economics, his mantra was always “take things one day at a time” . I often thought it was an ironic statement coming from a man whose professional life was based on modeling, theorizing and predicting the future.  However, during these uncertain times, it has become my own personal mantra and that of BroadFutures. True to this mantra has been our ability to adapt, thrive, and take things one day at a time. The present unpredictable and overwhelming crisis the world finds itself in has provided BroadFutures the opportunity to take learning and practicing concepts of flexibility and resilience to new heights! In so doing, we are all learning and growing in ways we had not imagined. As an eternal optimist, I am confident that our community, buoyed by a zealous drive for excellence, a strong commitment to a diverse workplace, and an ability to innovate, we will get through this together –  one day at a time . 

This is a time for reflection and laser focus on what is important to each of us personally and professionally. In so reflecting, I keep coming back to the notion of COMMUNITY. I am profoundly grateful to all who have helped to build and sustain BroadFutures and understand why our mission is so vitally important not only for our direct community, but society as a whole. A sincere thanks to ALL for your patience, support, and willingness to be a part of our community during this unprecedented and trying time.  

With gratitude and onward!!!!!

From the BroadFutures Remote Working Corner
Tips for Working from Home from our Interns & Staff

1.  Get yourself ready in the morning. You will feel more productive if you change out of your pajamas.

2. If you are used to moving around, make sure you build that into your day. 

3. Stick to a schedule.

4. If you are accustomed to a lot of contact and collaboration with others, make sure that still happens. Schedule virtual lunch dates or happy hours with your family and friends.

5. Ask yourself: How will I protect myself from feeling lonely or isolated and stay healthy, productive, and vibrant?

6. Exercise! It is critical for your well-being.

7. Find your rhythm. 

Resources







BroadFutures Has Gone Virtual

COVID-19 has not stopped our team from ensuring our interns are still fully supported and growing professionally. While we cannot be together in person, we are still able to see everyone’s smiling faces during our virtual training thanks to Zoom!  Below is all of us after our yoga and mindfulness
session.


On our third virtual Friday training session, we decided to incorporate themed Fridays! First Friday theme: Crazy Hats.


Join us by Giving Back!!!

The past couple of weeks have been scary and unexpected. But amongst these feelings of fear and uncertainty, there has been a renewed sense of connectivity throughout the world. Now more than ever people have been reaching out, connecting, and helping to support one another. Just like small and local businesses, as a small, young nonprofit, BroadFutures needs your help in this time of crisis.  If you are in a position to support our efforts and secure the future of BroadFutures, please consider contributing to our mission by making a gift here . We are so grateful for your support!


Employer Spotlight – Atlas Corps

We are happy to feature Atlas Corps for this month’s Employer Spotlight! The mission of Atlas Corps is to address critical social issues by developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and promoting innovation through an overseas fellowship of skilled nonprofit professionals. Fellows are given the opportunity to learn best practices and build organizational capacity, returning to their home countries, and hopefully creating a network of global change makers.  We first partnered with Atlas Corps during our Summer 2017 Program, and they have welcomed BroadFutures interns for every one of our programs since. 

Zachary Morrice, Senior Program Manager, who has worked with several of our interns shared, “Having BroadFutures interns has been a rewarding experience. We’ve helped them unlock their potential and build their self-confidence while they’ve helped us multiply our impact. Together, we are changing perspectives and changing the world.” Thank you, Zachary, for those kind words! We are so grateful for the mutual benefits of partnering with each other, and we look forward to continuing our partnership into the future.

You can learn more about Atlas Corps  here .

Intern Spotlight – Zoe Belkaid-Whalen

We are excited to feature Zoe Belkaid-Whalen for our Intern Spotlight! A hard-working 19-year-old from Maryland, Zoe recently graduated from Fusion Academy and plans to attend college this upcoming fall. Zoe has multiple talents, including writing, performing, and even indoor skydiving! Zoe is intelligent, eager to learn, and brings her creativity, humor, and honesty to our program.

Zoe is presently interning at the Office of Senator Van Hollen. Zoe has proven to be a remarkable and valuable intern, quickly understanding and navigating how the Senator’s office operates. Zoe shared that her favorite part of the internship has been ” getting to use all the tips and tricks I was taught through the program.” She also added that her favorite part about BroadFutures has been ” the friends I’ve made in the program.” Zoe, you have been an absolute pleasure to work with, and we wish you the best of luck as you finish our program and start your college career in the fall!

SPREAD THE WORD
Know someone who would be interested in what BroadFutures does?
Know someone who might be interested in applying?


STAY CONNECTED!
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and connect with us on LinkedIn  to stay up to date on what we are doing here at BroadFutures.
202-521-4312 | [email protected]  | www.broadfutures.org

February 2020 Newsletter

Posted on | by Caroline Brachman


Hard at Work
Our interns have been hard at work in their internships for 3 weeks now. They  are working at a wide variety of internships and all excelling! From working with computers to interviewing applicants to acquiring general professional skills, our interns have already gained many valuable workplace experiences. We are so excited to see their continued success in the coming weeks!

Below are some snapshots from our training, including our intern’s presentations at the end of initial training, our drama curriculum, and graffiti art.


































February was a busy month spreading the word of the BroadFutures mission

From sunny Florida to snowy Vermont, we have been all over! We are so grateful to have opportunities like these to get the word out about what BroadFutures has to offer for students who learn and think differently. From presenting at  Beacon College  and the  Learning Disabilities Association of America  2020 Conference to visiting  Landmark College  in Vermont over parent’s weekend, we have met so many wonderful people, including many promising potential applicants. To all of the students we met, we hope to see your application soon!!


Apply to the Summer 2020 Program! 
Application Deadline – March 16th, 2020


We have lots of fabulous internships for the summer! 
If interested in applying, please do so here.

If you are interested in becoming an employer partner, we are always actively recruiting new employers. Please find out more here.
Employer Spotlight – Discovery, Inc.


This month we are excited to feature Discovery, Inc. in our Employer Spotlight! Discovery, Inc.  is known as the #1 global real-world media and entertainment corporation. Discovery has achieved global operations in more than 160 countries and territories, reaching an approximate 1.3 billion subscribers. We began our partnership in the summer of 2017 and currently have two interns from the Winter 2020 cohort working at Discovery. We are so grateful for our partnership and for Discovery’s willingness to work with us and find new ways to challenge and support our interns. 

Pat Djiwatampu, a supervisor for many of our BroadFutures interns, shared, “BroadFutures had made me aware of the support that society needs to provide for young people to better equip themselves to be independent and BroadFutures certainly provides the support and I have seen the immensely tremendous results in the students who were and are interning with Discovery.” In addition, other Discovery employees who work closely with BroadFutures wanted to share their experiences, including Rogers Barnes, who said,”BroadFutures is a program dear to me…To think I play an important part is a great feeling and I hope to continue and expand this relationship with BroadFutures and Discovery for many years to come,” and Calvin Song, who wrote, “Absolutely enjoy working with the BroadFutures interns. Some of most talented young adults I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”

To everyone at Discovery, we thank you so much for your kind words – you guys are the best!

You can learn more about Discovery here .
Intern Spotlight – Michael Glynn

This month we are shining the spotlight on Michael Glynn! A 23-year-old from Bowie, Maryland, Michael is a thoughtful and fun addition to our winter cohort. As a graphic design major, Michael possesses a keen attention to detail and creativity, and these two skills are clearly demonstrated through his work.

Along with one other BroadFutures intern, Michael is interning at Discovery, Inc. In the three weeks that he has been there, Michael has already had the chance to give a presentation, refine his computer skills, and gain an overall sense of how an office setting operates. Throughout his internship and training, Michael has proven himself to be a natural leader. Keep up the good work, Michael, and we can’t wait to see more of your continued successes!
SPREAD THE WORD
Know someone who would be interested in what BroadFutures does?
Know someone who might be interested in applying?

STAY CONNECTED!
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and connect with us on LinkedIn  to stay up to date on what we are doing here at BroadFutures.

202-521-4312 | [email protected]  | www.broadfutures.org

January 2020 Newsletter

Posted on | by Caroline Brachman
We can’t wait to see what 2020 will bring!


We would like to say thanks to our community for your generous support over the past year! In 2019, we grew our program size, expanded our employer partners, and welcomed new staff members. In 2020, we look forward to continuing to CHANGE LIVES!

INTRODUCING our awesome Winter 2020 class &
 our 12th Cohort!


We welcomed a new group of amazingly talented and inspired interns, marking our 12th cohort of interns. After they complete their initial two weeks of training, they will start their internships with a wonderfully diverse group of employers. 

We are looking forward to a fun and successful Winter Program!
We are thrilled to introduce two new employer partners – 

 and excited to  renew our 
partnership 
with Peace 
Corps!
We are excited to welcome 
our new inspired employer partners 

Equally thrilled and grateful to welcome back
 7  past employer partners!
We have been busy visiting schools and presenting on our program…

At Kipp DC we talked to some interested high  schoolers about our program.


At Fusion Academy we presented to  parents  and  students  on our unique and 
holistic approach.



Carolyn presented on our program to a group of students at West Virginia Wesleyan.



Carolyn also attended the USA Gap Year Fair in Chicago in order to spread the word about our program across the country.
Information Session – Wednesday, February 12th, 2020
Join us to find out more about our Summer 2020 Program!

9:30 – 10:30 am
Coffee & Croissants
Presentation and Q&A

10:30 – 11:00 am
Optional Extended Q&A

2013 H Street NW
H Street Conference Room
Washington, DC 20006


Summer 2020 Program Application Deadline – March 16th, 2020
We have lots of fabulous internships for the summer! 
If interested in applying, please do so here.

If you are interested in becoming an employer partner, we are always actively recruiting new employers. Please find out more here.
Intern Spotlight – Danielle Silverman

We are excited to feature Danielle, as she is coming back as an alumni intern for our Winter 2020 Program!

During our Summer 2019 Program, Danielle enjoyed interning at the American Psychological Association, where she gained valuable workplace skills. Since then she has done a lot of traveling, including visiting Israel and Colombia! 

From the Fall Gala to coming back to work with us this winter, we have enjoyed keeping in touch with Danielle after the summer program ended. Danielle had these thoughts about BroadFutures:  “I began my journey as an intern with BroadFutures last summer. It has changed my life! Before starting I had little to no work experience. This past summer I worked at a prestigious organization, worked with incredible BroadFutures mentors, gained confidence, made great friends…the list goes on! Often people who learn differently are overlooked but BroadFutures helps you see your differences as a strength and helps propel you forward. This program could benefit anyone and I am beyond lucky and grateful to be apart of it. It was so impactful that I am returning for the winter session. There is always more knowledge to be gained from Carolyn and her great team.”

This winter, Danielle will be interning with one of our new employer partners, The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB). We are very excited for this new partnership, and for Danielle! We wish you the best of luck, Danielle!!
SPREAD THE WORD
Know someone who would be interested in what BroadFutures does?
Know someone who might be interested in applying?

STAY CONNECTED!
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and connect with us on LinkedIn  to stay up to date on what we are doing here at BroadFutures.

202-521-4312 | [email protected]  | www.broadfutures.org

December Newsletter (2019)

Posted on | by Caroline Brachman
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season 
and a happy New Year!

End of Year Message from our CEO, Carolyn Jeppsen

As 2019 comes to a close we find ourselves at the advent of a new decade and the urge to reflect on where we have come is of particular poignance. The past year has been our most successful to date. It marks an inflection point in our growth as a young, small non-profit passionately committed to changing the present landscape for young people with learning disabilities. With our success comes a well-deserved moment of gratitude for all who have helped to support and grow our mission – our donors, our employers, our families, and of course, our interns, who are our best expression of the value of a diverse workforce. Yet with our success also comes much responsibility. I profoundly adhere to the maxim that to w hom much is given, much is expected. And so, it is for BroadFutures. We have been given much by our community, and we owe much in return – to continue our mission of providing access and support to young people while also educating our employers on the gifts of those that we serve. 

As we look forward into a new decade, I see a new horizon. A horizon I like to believe is full of hope and opportunity.  A horizon where our young people will start on an even playing ground – where their opportunities will be equal and shared, where it will be the destination and not the path that is valued – where they will be judged not by how they got to the answer, solution, or idea, but that they got there, where diverse minds creating diverse solutions are celebrated, educated, and employed, where young people are taught to speak up for themselves, in their own voice, and articulate their own needs, and where employers understand that young, vibrant minds are an asset to the workforce, I am passionately committed to our mission and promise to all of you that we will head into 2020 with the courageous commitment to change as many lives as we can, never losing sight of our adherence to integrity and excellence.

THANKS to everyone in our community for your support an wishing all of you a wonderful end of 2019 and a Very Happy and Healthy New Year. 


It is not too late to help support our mission of empowering young people with learning disabilities!! If you want to spread holiday cheer through an act of giving, please consider a charitable gift to BroadFutures!

Donate  HERE
Watch our 2019 Fall Gala video here:


Information Session – Wednesday, February 12th, 2020
Join us to find out more about our Summer 2020 Program!

9:30 – 10:30 am
Coffee & Croissants
Presentation and Q&A

10:30 – 11:00 am
Optional Extended Q&A

2013 H Street NW
H Street Conference Room
Washington, DC 20006

Summer 2020 Program Application Deadline – March 16th, 2020
If interested in applying, please do so here.

If you are interested in becoming an employer partner, we are always actively recruiting new employers. Please find out more here.
Intern Spotlight – Leora Cherry

Meet Leora Cherry, our December Intern Spotlight! Leora was a participant in our Summer 2019 Program, where she excelled working in the Office of Congressman Trone. Looking back on her time working in a Congressman’s office, Leora commented, ” I appreciate all the work experience I gained” – which included taking calls from constituents and working with spreadsheets. Leora also reflected that she enjoyed the drama and yoga portions of our curriculum. ” I enjoyed the one time I got to teach a short yoga class,” Leora added.

At our recent Lighting the Way Fall Gala, Leora was a featured speaker, introducing Congressman Trone and presenting him with our Champion Award, an award given for his commitment to an inclusive and diverse workplace. 

Leora is currently a freshman at Montgomery College, Teaching English in Secondary Education. We wish you the best of luck as you move forward in your career Leora!
Employer Spotlight – Entertainment Cruises


This month we are excited to feature Entertainment Cruises for our Employer Spotlight! Entertainment Cruises was founded in Norfolk, Virginia in 1978. What started as a one-boat operation has grown to 48 cruise boats across 10 locations. Entertainment Cruises hosts over 2.3 million guests a year on their high-end, luxury cruise boats. They first partnered with BroadFutures in the summer of 2018 as part of our larger partnership with The District Wharf and we look forward to our continuing partnership! Entertainment Cruises also generously hosted our employer partners for a fall luncheon boat cruise, which was not only a wonderful networking opportunity, but a delicious and fun event as well. 

Amanda Padilla-Brennan, Talent Acquisition Manager, worked with two of our interns this summer. When asked about her experience, Amanda expressed, “The opportunity to partner with BroadFutures this past summer has been an unforgettable experience for me. Having a passion for hiring talent and seeing new employees advance in their roles is very important to me. Watching my interns grow in their roles such as seeing their communication/customer service skills go above and beyond in addition to receiving feedback from the managers on what valuable assets they had become to the teams, made me extremely excited for their future in the workforce. I can’t wait to partner again with BroadFutures in 2020!!”

Thank you for those kind words, Amanda! More information about Entertainment Cruises can be found here.
SPREAD THE WORD
Know someone who would be interested in what BroadFutures does?
Know someone who might be interested in applying?

STAY CONNECTED!
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and connect with us on LinkedIn  to stay up to date on what we are doing here at BroadFutures.

202-521-4312 | [email protected]  | www.broadfutures.org