12. 2014 Super Service Challenge
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Who did you serve, and what did you accomplish that day?
Our team volunteers with the YLC’s Power Ties project. Executed in partnership with Firstline Schools, the Power Ties program
consists of a series of four 1.5-hour workshops for 8th-grade students held in the classrooms of partnering schools. YLC
member-volunteers are recruited to teach the workshops over the course of a few weeks, using a set curriculum that
includes writing resumes and cover letters, understanding appropriate office behavior, and practicing general business
and interviewing skills.
The Power Ties program caps off the workshops with a "career fair" and job site visits at local businesses. Then, students are
treated to a business luncheon and motivational speaker. The goal of Power Ties is to help 8th graders with careerreadiness skills, while exposing them to a diverse variety of possible career choices.
Our volunteer team of Brandon Roll, Lindsey Jakiel, Erica Washington, and Betsy Lopez volunteered at a Power Ties workshop
with students from Langston Hughes Academy, which was held on October 18 th, 2013. Brandon Roll led the thank-you
note writing workshop, which works with students to talk about the importance of thank-you notes in the interview
process, and walks them through the process of writing a sample thank-you note. Lindsey Jakiel and Betsy Lopez
volunteered as mock interviewers, interviewing students one-on-one and talking about interview skills. Erica
Washington volunteered coordinating the workshops start and stop time, and letting teachers and students know when
to move on to the next workshop.
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What is your team's plan for an ongoing relationship with the nonprofit?
Our team plans to continue to volunteer with Power Ties during upcoming workshops. Brandon Roll is the volunteer project
leaders for Power Ties, and he will be keeping in touch with the rest of the team to let them know of upcoming
volunteer opportunities.
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What would your nonprofit do if they won part of the prize money?
We would use the funds to further the mission of Power Ties, reaching more students with essential job readiness skills. Prize
money would cover expenses from printing resumes and thank-you notes, and providing students with a portfolio to
keep their new resumes and other workshop materials in. It will also cover expenses for the power lunch and
transportation to job site visits.
