This year’s TASTE or “Take A Student To your Employment” in which area corporations, businesses and law firms host Aspiring Youth students for a “business lunch”, is meant to help these at-risk youth envision a future of meaningful employment. Our first of three TASTE events this year was on November 12th when groups of Aspiring Youth students toured the firms of Houston Title Company, Career & Recovery Resources and McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy.

At Houston Title Company the students were enlightened about the ins and outs of real estate ownership. The kids were truly interested and asked a lot of thoughtful questions. The Principles of the firm took time from their busy day to engage the students with a “Donald Trump” real estate game and to give a tour of the office which includes one of the oldest maps of Houston and documents dating back to the 1800’s.

At Career & Recovery Resources the students also had the full attention of the Leadership in the organization. Their experience was very practical as they learned about conducting a successful job search, filling out applications and building a resume. It was fun as well as useful, and all the students came away with some excellent real life skills.

MJLM is the largest African American owned CPA firm in the southern region, and the employees were genuinely excited to speak with the children. One of the partners, Odysseus Lanier, sat down with the children as a group and also had a “one-on-one” with each of them. Among many important lessons, he stressed the value of being able to communicate effectively and being able to articulate ideas. The children left the firm with a heightened sense of their dreams and how to achieve them.

“Lights On!” is a national public awareness effort that was observed on Thursday, October 16, and that is recognized throughout our country. This nationwide campaign to draw attention and “illuminate” the importance of after-school programming raises awareness. More than one million Americans, educators, parents, kids and community leaders, participated this year in recognizing how after-school programs not only keep kids safe and help working families, but also inspire kids to learn and change their future.

Each year our Aspiring Youth students are challenged to carve their own pumpkins and to create their own unique pumpkin faces. At the end of the day the pumpkins are judged, recognitions are awarded, and all the students get to take their pumpkins home with a note explaining the significance of the “Lights On!” celebration. At a set time students throughout North America light their candles in celebration.

Each year Aspiring Youth students and the National Junior Honor Society host events to celebrate Homecoming at Marshall Middle School. Although Hurricane Ike broke some of the usual traditions this year, the festivities were tremendous, and on Wednesday, October 8th, Aspiring Youth students attended the Homecoming Football Game where Marshall Middle School played their long time rival, Hogg Middle School.

The excitement and fun continued until the events culminated with the Homecoming Dance on Friday. Here the students praised the hard work of their football team, and the cheerleaders gave goodie bags as a token of appreciation for the boys’ hard work and dedication throughout the football season.

This fall our Aspiring Youth of Houston students took a fieldtrip to College Station to visit Texas A&M University. On the bus the students enjoyed the beautiful country scenery that was so different from the city landscape they knew, and they also enjoyed a small breakfast. When they arrived, the students went on a campus tour where they were introduced to many Aggie Land traditions from Kyle Field to the school store. There was something for everyone, and everyone had fun.

For our younger students, the visit provided life changing memories that will forever influence their lives. College became a dream, and some of the students even decided to apply to Texas A&M when they graduate from high school! Experiences such as this help many a vulnerable child’s life, and we thank you all for your continued support that makes Aspiring Youth’s work possible.

On Friday October 24, Aspiring Youth joined with the American Humanics Student Association to inspire the students of Ryan Middle School’s Winter Art Festival and Silent Action. Stars pins were decorated to be sold at the Festival to help raise money to purchase books to help fill the empty shelves in Ryan’s new library.

Randryia Houston has joined Aspiring Youth as an intern through the American Humanics Program, and is presently responsible for organizing all volunteer work at Aspiring Youth. Randryia is presently attending the University of Houston and expects to graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Sociology, a minor in Interpersonal Communications and a certificate in Nonprofit Management through the David M. Underwood Chapter of American Humanics, Inc.

Aspiring Youth of Houston would like to give a heartfelt thank you to our many volunteers during the school year of 2007-2008. We recognize that our volunteers allow more and more children to benefit from the Aspiring Youth After-School Program, and we believe that knowing that you are helping others brings joy into everyone’s life. This corner celebrates the contributions and dedications of many of you. Please visit the link at left and give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back.

Aspiring Youth of Houston would like to thank our many donors in 2007 for giving to our organization for the present so that we may prepare our youth for the future. We believe that a helping hand at the right time can make a lifetime of difference, and it is our many donors that make the Aspiring Youth After-School Program possible.