Courtney Buchanan’s Post

Throughout those 4 years we began building a community of transformation. This was phase 1. And born out of phase 1 were the 3 pillars that will hold our community of transformation up. We hosted our first event, “Qubit: At the Intersection of Queerness, STEAM and Mental Health” where we put our 3 pillars into action. ✅ Foster education on STEAM, Mental Health, building generational wealth and leaving a legacy. ✅ Celebrate ourselves and give ourselves our flowers. We are more than our trauma and hardships. Trust, there will be celebration and unrelenting joy. ✅ Amplify. We are better together. There is plenty of room in our community of transformation. We will grow our own ecosystem full of beautiful Black and Brown people working to care for our communities be it through education, internships, trainings or mental health resources. During Qubit, we saw firsthand just how much power we could harness when we put our 3 pillars into action. #buildingacommunity #leavingalegacy #STEAM https://loom.ly/68q_DNE

Utica Community Schools has partnered with Project SEARCH in an endeavor that showcases the limitless potential of our students. The primary objective of Project SEARCH is to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities. Six UCS students have become Project SEARCH interns and are gaining real-life work experience with the City of Sterling Heights. Project SEARCH is a UCS Champion because the program embodies our vision of positively transforming the future for these interns.

#STEM is rapidly evolving and navigating it can be challenging without the right support. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Crown Castle through their "Connected by Good" employee volunteer program, which helps Boys & Girls Clubs across the country deliver impactful STEM experiences to more kids and teens. By aligning our efforts, we’re ensuring that young people, especially those in under-resourced communities, have access to the education and technology they need to build a strong foundation in STEM. Curious about how you can support your child’s interest in STEM? Discover practical tips and resources to help them thrive in a STEM career: https://bit.ly/3ZhBNL3

The linens department at HSC partnered with Project SEARCH in its first pilot year in 2017 and has hosted many interns over the years. Together, they’ve been able to find reasonable accommodations for students, breaking down complex tasks in a way that allows students to meaningfully engage with the work and demonstrate their competence. "I want people who are struggling to know they don’t have to be scared to ask for help because support is always there," shared Andrew Headley, a Project SEARCH intern. "Without support none of us would be able to do much of anything – and that goes for everybody." Today we are recognizing International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year, the theme is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future." Visit https://ow.ly/nyxu50Ujb1g for Andrew's full story.

If ever your company events, conferences, or speaking engagements feel lackluster, forgettable, and flat... I have the antidote: Eduardo Placer. Check out the powerful anecdotes in his post below, and I'll leave you with this: "🕺 If your company is looking for someone to INSPIRE, MOTIVATE, and ENERGIZE your team for Hispanic Heritage Month or National Coming Out Day, please DM [Eduardo]."

While working for the March of Dimes in 2016, I had a parent of a child with an intellectual disability ask me, "What will happen after my child turns 18?" At the time, I didn't have an answer. Since then, I have learned that children with an intellectual or developmental disability can defer their high school diploma until the age of 22. Fast forward eight years, and this is still a major concern. Now living in Palm Beach County, Florida, there is still an urgent need for the 30,000 students with disabilities to transition from school to independent living. These individuals deserve the same opportunities we have all been afforded for a dignified life of employment. The challenge is that these individuals have few opportunities to learn how to become working adults. One of the reasons I chose to work for Gulfstream Goodwill is that we have a Career Academy that offers an answer to this need. Our curriculum focuses on independent living skills and employment readiness and provides a paid internship. Community partners are amazed by our students' positive impact on their organizations. Many of our students are offered employment after they graduate. We provide individuals with disabilities the training, confidence, and motivation to become self-sufficient adults who make meaningful contributions to their communities. If you are interested in this topic or want to learn more about how your company can become our partner, please contact me for more information. #PEOPLEWITHDISABILITIESMATTER #Inclusion #DisabilityAwareness #CareerDevelopment #IndependentLiving #EmploymentOpportunities #GulfstreamGoodwill #CommunityImpact #Empowerment #PalmBeachCounty

Thank you Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Daniel Seiden for spotlighting Project SEARCH as the most successful internship program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Arizona, 344 interns have successfully graduated from the program. Consider the statistics of this untapped population: - Only 19.1% of people with intellectual disabilities are employed in the United States, compared to the employment rate of people without disabilities, which is 61.8%. - Less than one out of every two working-age adults with an intellectual disability is in the labor force, and 28% have never held a job. - The unemployment rate is 17%, which is more than double the unemployment rate for people with other disabilities and almost four times the unemployment rate for the general population. https://lnkd.in/gmFViNtq

Are the CCR conversations you’re having as inclusive as they need to be? When children feel seen, they’re more likely to dream boldly. College and career readiness (CCR) conversations must be inclusive of every child’s background and identity, and schools with DEI-focused programs see a significant increase in engagement from marginalized communities. Representation isn’t optional—it’s transformative.

Is your city on this list: https://lnkd.in/eqBm642m If so, you have an amazing opportunity to engage with young people, include them in your organization, and curate meaningful experiences to diversify and improve your work. I posted this memory of "Get Summer" about a month ago, and since then I have had the opportunity to share many more details with those of you who have reached out. If you want a full 80-page playbook, please reach out and I will happily share. I also came across this incredible initiative by Planet Fitness called the "High School Summer Pass" that registered 3 million teenagers in 2024, with fantastic results. There are quite a few similarities in the numbers....This program was offered across 2,600 locations. Sound familiar to any of my YMCA friends? The results below speak for themselves. Results that have been echoed by "Get Summer" in YMCA's across the country. There are roughly 25 million teenagers in the United States. That leaves another 22 million waiting for an opportunity like "Get Summer" or the "High School Summer Pass".....And an endless opportunity for youth serving organizations to build on these initiatives with BOLD solutions. https://lnkd.in/e2XgNF4a Mental Wellness Boost: 83 percent of participating teens saw their mental health improve. Energized and Uplifted: 83 percent of teens noted an increase in their energy levels since signing up for the program, with 76 percent feeling happier after working out. Productive Summer Break: 72 percent of parents believe their teen would have had a less productive summer without High School Summer Pass. Bridging Generations: 86 percent of parents say that the High School Summer Pass program opened doors in communication with their teens about health.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but what happens when those words remain unspoken? The Silent Suit. The Silent Suit campaign, is about giving voice to the inner power of young Black professionals. This campaign goes beyond showcasing striking portraits; each image serves as a powerful narrative, offering a glimpse into the rich, multifaceted reality of being Black in today’s world. It’s a call to move beyond superficial stereotypes and embrace the depth of the individual behind the lens—their aspirations, challenges, triumphs, and undeniable brilliance. By celebrating these stories, I hope this inspires a broader understanding, sparks meaningful conversations, and honours the humanity and potential of the Black community that continues to shape the future. A big shoutout to Rae Philip for envisioning this campaign and bringing it to life with passion and creativity. I’m so proud to have played a part in sharing these powerful and beautiful stories through The 10,000 Interns Foundation. The 10,000 Interns Foundation has launched the careers of over 7,000 Black university students and graduates across 35+ industries since 2020. By Summer 2025, we aim to empower 10,000 to embark on rewarding career journeys across all sectors – but we need your help to get there. Your support will fund 3,000 more internship opportunities, comprehensive training and mentorship, and offer financial assistance to prospective interns in need, ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to participate. Donate today to invest in a future where everybody wins. https://lnkd.in/ezAaZtQC ‘The Silent Suit’ - A 10,000 Interns Foundation campaign #TheSilentSuit #Giving #Diversityandinclusion #CHRISTMAS