New Programs, Faces, and Goals This Year

New Programs, Faces, and Goals This Year

“I remember, as a boy of 17 years of age, this was a fascinating thing for me: how we human beings breathe out carbon dioxide into the air, the leaves of plants pick this carbon dioxide up, and the plant gives off oxygen, which we can breathe in and keep our life going.

― Percy Lavon Julian, Black agricultural scientist

New programs, faces, and goals so far this year

Happy Black History Month!

As you know Naomi is an FHC graduate, who is a Pre-Pharmacy student at Purdue University. Her Black History theme for this year is “I am Black History” to show the significance of the FHC youth leaders who are making a difference in the community.

She will lead the students in creating a periodic table with names of Current FHC youth/Alum, Community elders, Black Farmers, and Black Agriculture scientists etc. While the periodic table signifies the success of the black students at FHC it also acknowledges:
1- Those in the black community who have supported and inspired each and every one of them and
2- Those outside of the community who opened up their hearts to learn about their history, mentor and give support.

I can’t wait to learn about these important people in the lives of our students!

This year, in conjunction with our year-long Rise Initiative, we are also working with an important partner: IMPD Cares Mentoring.

Every Tuesday, our own Micheal Williams and IMPD representatives, Officers Jones and Iris, take a role in dual teaching the students participating in the IMPD Cares Mentoring Program. Here is a snippet of an internal report we’ve been keeping on what happens at these sessions to give you a sneak peek into this program.
Tuesday with the students was a very insightful session. Micheal presented the IMPD students with the second Job Ready Badge known as self-management. To begin Micheal started with the 4-H pledge of allegiance that students were fighting over to say it. Once the pledge was finished Micheal makes sure to include doing a wholesome check learned from the IPS 59 summit. The wholesome check typically is centered around the well-being of the group. This part went really well in getting the students to loosen up.

Micheal introduced self-management to the students and really incorporated much of the job ready vocabulary with activities that students found really enjoyable. Micheal believes the students are really picking up on the content based upon the responses they give when they are asked questions.

Update on our Year-Long Program
I think these internal updates are so great in capturing a “day in the life” of our students, so I’m including one of Micheal and Darlene’s updates from earlier this month.

On February 5th 2022, the students participated in a review of the Employ Indy Job Ready badge known as self-management. Micheal Brain stormed with students on how they used the content and vocabulary in their daily lives. Many of the students emphasized stress management because of school and life. Micheal found it fun to hear about these actions. After the review, the goal for the day was to transfer starter plants to other pots. The leadership group worked in a well oiled system that operated efficiently with each student having a specific job in the process. The students were able to get all the starter plants transferred successfully. Many lessons were learned such as staying disciplined with keeping the soil in one area, careful measuring, and gentle transferring. Afterwards, the students cleaned all parts of the lab in a team before lunch. After lunch, Indiana writer Kelsey came and did an amazing activity with the students.

Thank you so much for your continued support.
Next up: the start of SPRING!