Connecting Cass County aims to guide teens into adulthood, education, careers

ATLANTA, Texas — Marietta, Texas, native Dr. Robert Harper is returning to his property ecosystem to offer you an option for youthful people today to receive specialized steering in transitioning to adulthood and accomplishment in college and occupations.

The 1st session of Connecting Cass County started Monday at the Atlanta Center School Library with more than 30 learners and 6 grownup leaders attending. More sessions will carry on this month and in July at Atlanta Substantial School and Linden-Kildare Significant College.

The outreach energy is currently being created probable by means of Dr. Harper’s nonprofit software termed The HOPE Initiative.

“A short while ago my initiative was awarded a $54,000 grant from the Hogg Foundation for Psychological Well being to give university, job and everyday living readiness for pupils dwelling in Cass County. We ended up 1 of 77 applicants to obtain funding,” Dr. Harper mentioned.

Above the up coming two yrs, the initiative will interact with middle and substantial school college students concerning the ages of 14-19 and offer them with talent development, health and wellness routines, occupation pathway understanding and workforce publicity.

As an case in point of one of the particular skill initiatives the students had been to undertake is that of the “elevator” speech with which Dr. Harper opened Monday’s session.

“Do you know what an elevator speech is?” Dr. Harper commenced, with the respond to usually getting “No.”

“Well, contemplate you are on the first floor of an elevator,” Dr Harper proceeds, “and you are going to the sixth floor. With you is an individual you want to make a superior impact on. You don’t have a great deal time, but you need to have to network with this human being, probably make a request.”

In the quick time from floor just one to 6, you will require a speech to give to the active individual that is a summary of your credentials, who you are and what you do … what your request is.

“It can be a networking software, and so crucial to one’s achievement. It’s an elevator speech to make an effect.”

For the course training, Dr. Harper claimed he will give the younger people today a framework, and they should compose their elevator speech and memorize it.

“Then, we have adult mentors who will function-participate in with you as you give your elevator speech. We want to make sure you know who you are, your discovering design and style, individuality style and some thing about professions great for you. Once you come across this out, you will be capable to give your elevator speech. You will be capable to provide you.”

As one more illustration of the type and good quality of practical experience the youthful persons will be getting in the seminar is a glimpse at the very first day’s outline of topics to be included.

Starting off at 9 a.m.:

• Personalized power assessment

• Identity variety evaluation

• Learning fashion evaluation

• Career cluster assessment.

LUNCH

• Comprehension the ACT Take a look at

• Q&A and Dismissal 2 p.m.

Thursday’s session will focus additional upon education and learning success. Its variety of subject areas are (1) Readiness Profile Overview (2) ACT Diagnostic English (3) ACT Diagnostic Math (4) ACT Diagnostic Studying: and (5) ACT Diagnostic Science.

Dr. Harper mentioned he hopes the commencing of this initiative in Atlanta and Linden will outcome in other university districts in Cass County signing up for in. He also hopes to encourage people and enterprises to sign up for the hard work

“The goal is to assist younger people today changeover to adulthood and with faculty and profession readiness. I’m calling it a simply call to motion in Cass County.”

Dr. Harper then associated a regional working experience when he was approached by the Atlanta Large basketball team coach concerned for two or a few of his gamers who had questioned for enable with their ACT scores. The mentor thought of the HOPE Initiative and Cass County Connection.

“Can I communicate to your workforce?” Dr. Harper stated he requested. “Why not all the team gamers? We can help all the ladies.”

The mentor just liked that, Dr.Harper explained.

“And so in this article we are.”

If other faculties and leaders are looking for assistance with the HOPE Initiative, Dr Harper mentioned just to give him a contact, and “We will start the enrolling system.”