Higher Up End-of-Program Event

Higher Up will celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of all participants in the non-profit’s first summer job and internship program on Wednesday, August 28th, 6 pm–8 pm, at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor. Students, Partners, Volunteers, and Donors, along with their families, will come together to celebrate the program’s success. Certificates will be awarded to both students and partner-employers in recognition of their achievements. Co-Founder Wendy McDade notes, “In our local community, we know that we’re better when we’re working together to invest in our young people and their bright futures. And this celebration acknowledges the part that so many people have played in the success of the inaugural year of Higher Up.”

Higher Up was fortunate to partner with Mercer County’s Summer Youth Jobs Connection Program. A grant from the Department of Labor covered 30 paid placements for Higher Up students who are current or graduated Hightstown High School (HHS) students from a wide variety of backgrounds. Higher Up provided a five-session Readiness Program in workplace etiquette, interviewing skills, and other topics, as well as guest speakers from the business community. The students recognized the importance of the sessions. One student said, “Before I went to the Readiness Program, I didn’t know that I didn’t know,” to describe her unawareness about functioning in real-world situations. Additionally, Higher Up provided financial assistance for student transportation via the “Let’s Go” Transportation Fund, and appropriate workplace attire via the Student Success Fund. To help the students to be more fully prepared, the fund also provided special assistance such as a CAD class at Mercer County Community College for a student working for an architect and the purchase of a laptop lent to a student doing interviews at a law practice. Students, including several who attend both HHS and Mercer County Technical School, were matched with positions based on their interests, and each partner stepped up to deliver a valuable experience. Many of the Higher Up participants have said they are now considering careers based on their placement experiences. Their positions include working as park rangers, graphic designers, teaching assistants, and community food pantry workers, and in a variety of office-based positions, including insurance, marketing, architecture, and law.

Higher Up continues to provide support throughout the work experience with regular check-ins for students and partners. Comments on both sides have stressed how well the placements have worked out, with students thanking partners for the training to help them succeed and partners noting that students have been enthusiastic and have sought additional responsibilities. Partner-employers have served as mentors, going beyond the basics of training to provide a comprehensive picture of the business structure, and offering valuable life lessons to help students achieve their goals. Many partners have said they would welcome their students back in the future and have encouraged them to keep in touch because they are now “part of the family.”

Rosa Prada-Rodriguez, Higher Up Co-Founder, is excited about the success of the program. “We are all looking forward to the Better Together celebration,” she says. “It’s a great opportunity to acknowledge the people who have contributed in so many ways. We want to thank them for everything they have done to inspire our students while demonstrating their dedication to improving the community by making vital ‘human investments.’ And we are enthusiastic about more people getting involved to help our young people prepare for their futures.”

To learn more about the program, please check higherupnj.org. For information about the Better Together celebration, contact Wendy McDade at 609 469 4942.

Contact:

Wendy McDade

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Higher Up

125 South Street

Hightstown, NJ 08520

wendy.mcdade@higherupnj.com

609 469 4942

Rosa Prada-Rodriguez

Co-Founder and Director of Program Development

Higher Up

125 South Street

Hightstown, NJ 08520

rosa.prada-rodriguez@higherupnj.com

609 469 4942