Making A Difference

At our Annual Fall Celebration in mid-October, former GlassRoots student Yanice Toha spoke eloquently about the profound impact GlassRoots has had on his life. His words bear repeating: 
 
My mentors and teachers gave everything they had to see me succeed and improve in my art making, and never asked for anything in return, except for me to keep learning and growing as an artist. Their devotion to my success opened my eyes to what it truly means to “give back”, something I have been inspired to do wherever and whenever I can. The lessons I learned about character were enough to set me on the right path. It is my hope to someday become a successful writer who has the opportunity to give back to my city in the same way GlassRoots gave to me.
 
Yanice joined the first cohort of the GlassRoots-Penland Fellowship program, which identifies public high school students who have extraordinary potential and seek extra support before entering the traditional college process. Together with the Penland School of Crafts, GlassRoots gives our Fellows the tools to pursue personal and academic excellence by providing a supportive environment and the opportunity to explore and build their strengths, all while earning college credits. The impact is powerful - Yanice is now working on his B.A. in creative writing at Rutgers University, Newark!  
 
Yanice's speech reminds us that civic responsibility matters; the idea of giving back was an important take-away from his time at GlassRoots. He is one of hundreds who have participated in GlassRoots’ programs and internalized these kinds of important values. But positive character development like this is just the beginning of what GlassRoots offers its students day in and day out, in Newark and throughout the state.
 
Your gift today makes it possible for GlassRoots to continue to work with youth and young adults to help them imagine and create new visions for their futures.
 
In today's world, career trajectories are meandering and varied. The average worker holds ten different jobs before age forty, and this number is projected to grow. We can't predict the job market or industries our youth will enter, but we DO know the critical skills young people will need to make their own way and navigate a course toward professional success. When they leave our Scientific Glassblowing program or Business and Entrepreneurship programs, students walk out the door with vital skills in money management, financial literacy, and interpersonal communication. Through every program we offer, GlassRoots guides students on the path towards independence, responsibility and accomplishment – in the classroom, in their homes, in their neighborhoods, and in the workplace.
 
Please join us to invest in the development of character. Join us and invest in a community dedicated to youth. Join us and invest in a vision for new urban life energized by the lively arts and commerce. 
 
Make a gift today to immediately impact the future of our students!
 
With our great thanks,

 Barbara Heisler, CEO

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