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March Alumni Update
Alumni Highlights
LP shines this month's Alumni Spotlight on Erma Parrish, alumna of our Civics and Citizenship program at Wheaton High School and current LP Mentor.
A 2015 graduate of McDaniel College, Erma received her Bachelor's in Social Work with a minor in Sociology and Women's Studies and is currently working towards a master's degree.
We spoke to Erma about her journey and here is what she had to say:
“I was born in the Philippines and came to the U.S. when I was 14-years-old. I decided to attend LP’s after-school program because I didn’t want to go home right after school. At that time, my family and I were living in a basement and LP became a safe space that I could go to after a long day of school. In the program, I learned about American culture through field trips, hands-on activities, and from other students; we had a diverse group of kids in the room. I enjoyed hearing from guest speakers; they became role models and encouraged me that regardless of our “minority” label we are a big part of this country. I also enjoyed the field trips. They helped ease my anxiety about exploring my new home and community.
"I attended McDaniel College on a full-ride due to enough scholarships. During my time there, I volunteered as an ambassador for the Admission's Office and became a mentor for student engagement. After college, I decided to pursue my master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and met and married a wonderful and genuine man in October of 2018. In the second year of our marriage, July 2020 (yes, during the COVID-19 pandemic), we bought our first home.
Currently, I am working at “Together We Own It,” a non-profit organization that works with children and families to address mental health, academic, and poverty using a restorative justice approach. We also work with youth that are incarcerated or at risk to be in Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services system. We provide resources such as free food and clothing to our families in need.
I want to remind younger alumni that it will be so easy to collect and carry around achievements after achievements because we believe you have what it takes to pursue anything you find interesting in life or during your time in college, but please don’t forget the most important part of it all - the self. I hope everyone is doing their self-care and managing their mental health because at the end of the day who you are will take you further than any achievement or success. Understanding the “Who am I?” piece without the grade, the medal, the title, the income, the busy schedule, etc., will be your tool in life and the most important investment you can ever have."
Career Readiness Workshop | Friday, March 19 | 3 -5 pm
Join us next week and learn how to become "career ready' with tips, tricks, and 1-2-1 advice from the global management consulting firm,Kearney.
The event will focus on how to get your dream job after school and how to plan for a successful career.
Attendees will have the opportunity to create and improve a resume, receive 1-on-1 guidance on the job search process, and experience a practice job interview.
To ensure you have the chance to take part in the mock interviews and resume reviews, please make sure you register for the event in advance.
Employment
UA Local 489 Plumbers and Steamfitters Apprenticeship School
Make Mechanical Trades a Career.
The Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 489 Apprenticeship Program is a five-year program with free tuition and paid on-the-job training.
Identity Inc is looking for a Youth Development Specialist and a Recreation Assistant
Identity, Inc. is looking for interested candidates to join their fast-paced, client-focused, and diverse organization. They are seeking candidates who want to make a difference for youth and families in Montgomery County by building strong relationships, serving as mentors and role models, encouraging positive youth development, and providing great academic, enrichment, and recreation opportunities for youth. They are hiring aYouth Development SpecialistandRecreation Assistant.
Candidates who are interested in the position of Youth Development Specialist, please contactLisette Dardon at ldardon@identity-youth.org. Candidates interested in Recreation, please contact Efrain Viana at eviana@identity-youth.org.
Scholarships
The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship
Due: Thursday, April 1st, 2021
The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship is open to college freshmen and students transferring who are enrolled, or plan to enroll full-time, at a four-year college or university. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, financial need, and a commitment to public service. Click here to apply.
Generation Hope Scholar Program Scholarship
Due: Thursday, April 1st, 2021
The Generation Hope Scholars Program provides teen parents (defined as being pregnant or expecting at age 19 or younger and age 25 or under at the time of application) who are attending two and four-year colleges in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia with emotional and financial support to help them complete college, pursue a successful career, and create a stable and productive environment for themselves and for their children. Click here to learn more about the Generation Hope Scholars Program. If you have any questions, please contact Caroline Short at caroline@supportgenerationhope.org or (202) 642-5649.
ABA Foundation Diversity Scholarships
Due:Thursday, April 1st, 2021
The Diversity Scholarship is for a college student at an accredited university who has a declared major of study relevant to the travel and tourism industry. Travel and tourism encompass a varying range of professions, from accounting to hospitality management and everything in between. In other words, please apply rather than ruling yourself out because of your major. Click hereto apply.
Events
LP Career Chat: Video Game Design
Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 3:30-4:30 pm
Did you know that, increasingly, college students and professionals are pursuing careers in video game development and design. Are you interested in learning how a person can break into video game development and design? What kind of education makes this pursuit easier? And how can an applicant stand out from the crowd in this competitive, yet growing field? Join us to learn all this and more about a video game design career with panelists from theMason Game and Technology Academy.
Are you interested in a career in dentistry? Have you always wondered what kind of education dental professionals go through? Join us for our next Career Chat with guest speakers from the Carabella Dental Office and hear about the basics of career paths that exist in dentistry, the benefits, and some tips on how to get started down your own dentistry career path.
'LP Career Chats' is a new initiative we launched connecting youth to young professionals who can give insight into their careers through virtual meetings.
Most of our panelists are alumni and serve as excellent role models for our youth with plenty of tips and advice to offer.
Become a Mentor
Are you a LP Alumni?
Do you have 3 years of work experience?
Join our new mentorship program today and help give back to your fellow Alumni. Your experience and support as an LP Alumni will make a real impact across the LP Community.
Become a Donor
Our programs depend on the generosity of donors such as you to help fund our mission of helping immigrant youth succeed in America.
With your support, we can ensure that their circumstances don’t prohibit them from realizing their true potential.
