杏吧原版

Secora Chambers 杏吧原版�23, 杏吧原版�24 MBA vividly remembers the moment she realized how much of an impact her internship at , a small business involved heavily in the arts community, would have. As an artist and a business major, she found this opportunity was a perfect match for her unique skill set. It was when she hosted her first art show that the full gravity of her experience hit her.

杏吧原版淚 was nervous, but Sonal [Soveni], the owner, encouraged me,杏吧原版� she said. 杏吧原版淚t was a rewarding experience because I was able to see the community that built me come together and share in my success.杏吧原版�

For Secora, this wasn杏吧原版檛 just an internship杏吧原版攊t was an opportunity to bring her artistic passions to life while developing practical business skills that would set the foundation for her future.

The Helping Hands Nonprofit Leadership Program, now in its third year, is designed to provide students such as Secora with opportunities to intern at local nonprofits and with area small businesses, gaining firsthand experience in leadership roles.

杏吧原版淲e make sure students are well-rounded individuals when they step out into the workforce,杏吧原版� explained Anita Sebabi, employer relations manager for the University of New Haven杏吧原版檚 Career Development Center (CDC).

The vision for Helping Hands came to life through a partnership between Terry Floyd, vice president and community relations consultant at , and Marcus Paca, former assistant director of employer relations at the University. Together, they aimed to create a program that would provide real-world experience while fostering leadership in the nonprofit sector.

杏吧原版淢y personal passion is to reach out and help people,杏吧原版� Terry shared. 杏吧原版淲e杏吧原版檙e giving students and alumni the opportunity to pair up with nonprofits and develop skills that benefit both the nonprofits and their careers.杏吧原版�

Marcus echoed Terry杏吧原版檚 enthusiasm. 杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檝e seen the growth and impact that the Helping Hands initiative has had on the University of New Haven and everyone else who杏吧原版檚 been involved,杏吧原版� said Paca, who spent nearly four years at the University before joining Nuvance Health as director of workforce and career development. 杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檓 overcome with joy with the way it杏吧原版檚 expanded, and I look forward to the impact it will continue to have on the community.杏吧原版�

This year杏吧原版檚 cohort included 16 students, including Secora, who completed her degree over the summer. Each of the participants took part in a professional development workshop focused on core competencies such as leadership, critical thinking, and communication. These skills were then put into practice during their internships.

杏吧原版淎t the end, the organization supervisors sent in evaluations,杏吧原版� Anita said. 杏吧原版淚t warmed my heart to hear the feedback and see the growth in each of the students.杏吧原版�

For Sonal Soveni, the founder of The Table & Gallery, the Helping Hands program provided essential support for her growing business. 杏吧原版淔or me as a small business owner, it was like a dream come true to have extra hands on deck,杏吧原版� she said.

Secora杏吧原版檚 work at The Table & Gallery ranged from managing the business杏吧原版檚 Instagram account to developing an employee handbook. Her contributions didn杏吧原版檛 just fill immediate needs杏吧原版攖hey laid the groundwork for long-term success.

杏吧原版淎 lot of the work I was doing, I wanted to make sure it would last beyond me,杏吧原版� Secora explained. 杏吧原版淚 created documents and plans that could be used by the team in the future.杏吧原版�

Sonal praised Secora杏吧原版檚 contributions, noting the lasting impact she杏吧原版檚 had on the business. 杏吧原版淪he杏吧原版檚 part of the team,杏吧原版� Sonal said. 杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檓 bringing her on as a consultant to advise other students on what works and doesn杏吧原版檛 when it comes to gaining visibility and selling artwork.杏吧原版�

This partnership exemplifies the mutual benefit of the Helping Hands program杏吧原版攕tudents gain experience, while local businesses and nonprofits receive valuable support.

At a recent event celebrating the program杏吧原版檚 achievements, Wells Fargo杏吧原版檚 Terry Floyd expressed his hopes for Helping Hands moving forward. 杏吧原版淚 think for the nonprofits and the companies involved, the sky杏吧原版檚 the limit,杏吧原版� he said.

杏吧原版淗elping Hands invests in students and small businesses in a way that creates lasting change,杏吧原版� he continued. 杏吧原版淲e杏吧原版檙e going to keep this going.杏吧原版�