by givebackdv | Oct 14, 2022 | Staff
Anne Gordon is the Give Back Program Director for Kentucky and Indiana. She plays a critical role in helping GiveBack achieve its mission of providing scholarships and academic mentoring to disadvantaged students and expanding the program’s model nationally. She partners with foundation leadership to create and ensure consistent and effective internal processes and communication across GiveBack programs to help position for continued success.
Prior to her employment at GiveBack, she was a founding member and Vice President of Operations at Beyond and Heartland Payment Systems. Companies that provide a comprehensive suite of business tools and services, including payment processing to small and mid-size businesses. Robert Carr was the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the aforementioned companies. She has had the opportunity to work with Mr. Carr for over twenty-five years in a leadership position. She served on several committees during her tenure in the payments industry such as a Board Member, Discover ISO Committee, Committee Member, ETA Best Practice Committee. She currently is a CASA Volunteer for CASA River Region in Jefferson County KY.
by givebackdv | Sep 23, 2022 | Scholars
Between museum hopping, pub exploring, and petting the late queen’s royal horses, Gracie Traviño kept busy this summer on her study abroad trip to London. The ten-day excursion in June was an end-of-year opportunity awarded to students who completed the accompanying History of the British Empire course at Lewis University in Illinois — and it marked the first time that Gracie, a British history aficionado, traveled to the country that fuels her passion for history.
A Give Back scholar and junior at Lewis, Gracie juggles a busy schedule as a double major in History and Theology, and a Donnelly Grant Intern working on preserving Joliet-era history in the university’s Adelmann Regional History Collection. Through her studies, Gracie intends to pursue a PhD in History, with a concentration in the British or Latin Empire, to ultimately teach at the collegiate level.
Her fervor for history, and Britain, ignited when she was just six years old and has continued to swell over the years. Studying everything from the Prohibition to Spanish Morocco and in between, Gracie is fascinated with learning about how people justify their actions, and is inspired by such prominent figures as the late Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria — both of whom taught her that you don’t have to be a man to run an empire. So when she learned of the opportunity to take a course that aligned with her passions and allowed her to travel abroad, she was elated.
“It was really exciting to travel to England, especially after everything I learned in the class about the history of the empire,” said Gracie.
Gracie was accompanied by eight of her peers and the course professor on the trip. Together, they visited a host of museums and galleries, seeing such marvels as Rafael’s paintings and the Elgin Marbles; attended a Westminster Parliament session; talked to the locals about political issues; experienced pub life; spent some quality time with the late queen’s horses; and much more.
“I think it’s important to have these types of experiences because they are very eye-opening,” she added. “It’s important to see the world and see things for how they really are. You’ll learn that people really aren’t as different as you think they are.”
Officially her favorite class of her academic career thus far, the History of the British Empire course offered Gracie a unique opportunity to experience, first-hand, a culture that plays such a meaningful role in her long-term career and educational endeavors. Now that she is back home and more inspired than ever, she plans to continue working toward her goals in academia, while making sure to carve out some time in her bustling schedule to join a few different clubs, make new friends, and do some of the things she loves best — like reading Tolkien, playing piano, painting her nails, and spending quality time with her family.
by givebackdv | Sep 16, 2022 | College Success
Last month, Give Back Careers students were given the opportunity to tour Hutchinson Community College and Kansas City Kansas Community College, two Kansas-based community colleges that offer a host of diverse degree and certificate programs.
Organized by Kansas Program Director Katie Latta and Illinois Student Coach Shannon Labus, the excursion exposed a small group of Give Back Careers students, ranging from incoming freshmen to juniors in high school, to the wide variety of training and educational opportunities available through community colleges..
Set four hours apart from each other, Hutchinson and Kansas City Kansas presented two distinct campus lifestyles to the students. While the Kansas City Kansas campus appeared more metropolitan in nature, Hutchinson–which shares its campus with the Cosmosphere Space Museum–gave off more of a typical “university” feel, with a rural backdrop and a football field situated in the center of the campus. Throughout each tour the students got the chance to explore the athletic facilities, experience eating in a dining hall, and discover the plethora of degree, certificate, and career options offered at the colleges.
“So many schools and adults push students towards a four year degree and I feel like it’s important for our students to visit these community colleges and technical colleges and see the different kinds of programs available to them,” said Katie. “This different exposure can show them that they can still be successful and proud of their career even if it’s not from a four year college.”
The students were excited to learn that so much was available to them from community colleges in the area. Each college offers over 100 degree and certificate programs–anything ranging from more traditional avenues as Chemistry and Political Science to certificate opportunities from Welding Technology to Baking to Web Design. Students attending the colleges even have the opportunity to participate in a hybrid program in partnership with local companies that offer part-time paid internships while pursuing their education.
“You have to uncover a lot of rocks to find what you love,” said Shannon. “The more we can expose students to different careers and educational options, the more chances we are giving them to be successful. It’s amazing how many programs can be completed in two years that lead to fulfilling and high-paying careers.”
At Give Back, we are all about empowering our youth to discover their passions and reach their goals through support, planning, exposure, and encouragement. Everybody’s path to success and happiness is unique, and we believe that with guidance and support, everyone can achieve their dreams.
by givebackdv | Sep 9, 2022 | Scholars
Amidst the chaos of finals, an ongoing global pandemic, and preparing for the new school year, relaxing your mind and recharging your batteries is not always a walk in the park. But prioritizing your mental health and making time for the things you enjoy most is essential for your overall success and wellbeing.
This summer, Give Back scholar Deborah Hawj spent time recharging and de-stressing with her family on an action-packed trip through Georgia and South Carolina. A rising freshman at Baker University in Kansas, Deborah flew from her hometown in Kansas City to meet her relatives in Atlanta, Georgia. Together, they traveled to South Carolina, where they spent time tubing, trail walking in Greenville, hiking at Pretty Place, and swimming at Myrtle Beach.
“I’ve never been to the beach before so it was really fun,” said Deborah. “The moments we spent there were precious. All the laughter and smiles–they’re memories that I won’t forget.”
While she’s been to Georgia before for family reunions, this was the first time that Deborah was able to spend some time there sightseeing and going on new adventures with the people she loves most. And between working at Panera and getting ready for her first year at college, this little getaway was the perfect summertime remedy for her mental health in preparation for the busy year to come.
“I usually try to spend as much time as I can having fun during my summer break to prepare for school, and spending time with my friends and family is the best way that I can relax,” Deborah added. “But I’m looking forward to making new friends in college this September, and being able to end the semester well and pursue my dreams.”
Whether it’s building sandcastles, trekking through the forest, or binge watching her favorite action-packed Netflix series, Deborah always makes sure to set aside time for herself and her mental health during the summer to recharge her batteries for a fun and successful year to come.
Let us know how you relaxed and recharged this summer by using the hashtag #GiveBackRecharge on social media! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop on all things Give Back.
by givebackdv | Aug 19, 2022 | Education
Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack
in the concrete
Proving nature’s law is wrong it learned 2 walk
without having feet
Funny it seems but by keeping its dreams
it learned 2 breathe fresh air
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else even cared! – Tupac Shakur
As illustrated in the poetry of one of the most prolific and revered rappers of all time, no matter where you come from and what you have experienced, you can and will still blossom. Even engulfed in concrete–in an environment where almost everything might be holding you back and telling you otherwise–remember that you are beautiful, you are strong, and you can rise above to flourish and reach your dreams.
Mirroring the theme of Tupac’s poem, Give Back’s summer programming–Why We Rise–draws from poetry and nature to hone in on different practices of self care that help equip young people (and ultimately people of all ages) with skills to work through their obstacles in healthy, constructive ways. The curriculum was developed in a collaboration between California Program Director Chris Brown and Washington State Program Director Brenda Burns, and it works through the intersections of physical and mental wellness, healthy relationships, coping strategies, resiliency building, and developing healthy habits.
“When we were tasked with creating the curriculum, we knew we wanted to focus heavily on nature,” Chris said. “Studies have shown that being in nature improves physical and mental wellbeing, it helps with emotional regulation, and it’s proven that even just walking can reduce stress and help with depression.”
Aligning with this holistic approach to self care and resiliency building, over the past few months Give Back chapters across the country have incorporated the outdoors in some shape or form with their summer programming. Activities ranged from outdoor yoga to terrarium building to nature walks to rock climbing, and much more–each serving as diverse yet similar practices united in the ultimate purpose of discovering the ways in which immersing yourself in nature can improve your physical and mental wellbeing.
On top of their outdoor exercises, the “Why We Rise” summer programming has also provided Give Back youth with the opportunity to participate in Get Lit-Words Ignite, a poetry-based nonprofit dedicated to increasing literacy, empowering youth, and energizing communities through classic and spoken word poetry, as well as visual media. Through Get Lit, Give Back youth have been able to explore poetry as a means of self care by writing out their thoughts, experiences, and aspirations.
“It’s all about trying new things,” Chris added. “Sometimes it can be hard to see how going for a walk can help you, but it’s important to try. Try something new out and if it doesn’t help then try something else. There are so many different ways to practice self care and you never know what might help you. But it’s important to try to get yourself into a space where you’re looking at things from a different lens. For me, it might be a visit to the beach to listen to the waves hit the sand, or exercising, or even binge watching Stranger Things for the 16th time. And if that isn’t working, then I make sure to check in with myself and with my therapist.”
From bike rides to haikus, the “Why We Rise” programming is ultimately a journey of self discovery; a path sprinkled with ideas and tools to harness for the betterment of your physical and mental wellbeing. Through this curriculum, our scholars have been able to learn more about themselves and others while creating connections with one another. Each exercise provided opportunities for our Give Back youth to ground themselves in nature and gain clarity through art while supporting each other in this growth and discovery.
“Why We Rise” reminds us that we are never alone, and there are myriad ways to practice self care, each as unique as the people it helps. And even if you feel like you are being swallowed by concrete, remember that you are a rose, and you too can rise–no matter the obstacles you face–and achieve your dreams.
