SUMMER 2013 A N N U A L U P D A T E

It’s been a busy year for FTF!

ETIQUETTE TRAINER/AUTHOR, INGA WATKINS

ALICE SCOTT, FTF BOARD MEMBER INTRODUCING NEW VOLUNTEER Juilliard Trained Actor, Sekou Laidlow

FOOTSTEPS TO FOLLOW

Hurricane Sandy challenges in October 2012 did not stop the momentum and Footsteps To Follow, Inc. its Board Members and Volunteers persevered, resulting in a very successful 2012-2013 year.

In September Footsteps hosted a "Volunteer Kickoff Luncheon" at the acclaimed "Seasons 52 Restaurant" in Garden City, New York to say thank you to our volunteers and to introduce potential volunteers to our organization. Attendees represented a wide range of careers, including those of our newest volunteers, Etiquette Trainer/Author, Inga Watkins, and Juilliard Trained Actor, Sekou Laidlow.

The "Volunteer Kickoff" provided our volunteers with an opportunity to get to know each other, to network and share their career choices or their experiences as speaker at our events.

VOLUNTEER KICKOFF LUNCHEON

SCENES FROM THE "VOLUNTEER KICKOFF"

IT WAS ALSO A TIME FOR THESE BUSY PROFESSIONALS TO RELAX AND JUST HAVE SOME FUN AS WE PLAYED AN INTRODUCTORY "GETTING TO KNOW YOU" GAME.

ACCION AC ADEMY

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2012

Advertising and Marketing Executive, Sharon Hamilton was one of the volunteers who participated in a series of workshops with 7th and 8th graders at the Academy,  lead by FTF Board Member Donna Grant.

TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCHNOVEMBER, 2012

Ruth White, CPA showed the Trinity Church Youth Organization, “THE GEMS” how to enter a room with confidence during a mock job interview skills training session

Accion Academy Moot Court Preparatory

December, 2012 - March,2013

Nikole Booker, Principal & FTF Education Advisor invited FTF’S legal professional board members led by Elaine Williams, Esq. and Diane Blake, Esq., Lance Evans, Esq. and Arlene Hamilton, Esq. to assist in preparing her students for the Thurgood Marshall Jr. Mock Trial Program in May. FTF Board members worked with the 7th & 8th grade students for over 4 months on weekdays and Saturdays.

Footsteps Events 2012-2013

TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH

May 2013

Karen Booker, CIT, CCC presented the Color Code Workshop for Teens and Young Adults of Trinity Church. The day was filled with personal one-on-one conversations about interpersonal relationships, team-building skills, 100% responsibility, professional and academic goals.

Everyone left renewed and focused for the new school Year! Lorraine Green & Elaine Williams, Esq. assisted in the workshop.

CHRIST PENTECOSTAL CHURCH

February, 2013

This was FTF's third return to Christ Pentecostal Church’s Black History Month Youth

Department Seminar. During a two part session, Karen Booker, CIT, CCC FTF 2013-2014

Board Chair presented the Color Code Seminar

and Inga Watkins taught the young men and women business etiquette.

Color Code Workshop for Teens and Young Adults:

Interpersonal Relationships and Team-Building

PAL Girl Talk May 2013

Karen Booker, CIT, CCC presented a Healthy Homes Seminar for the PAL Girl Talk program at the Golden Maple Academy. The girls learned about environmental and home health hazards that occur in their homes and simple remediation tips. She also presented the the Color Code Workshop on taking 100% Responsibility, selecting the right friends, and choosing careers related to their Color Code type.

Several girls were interested in careers in the medical field. Dr. Robert Smith discussed the important steps needed to become a doctor.

A “Gems” College Student talks about her grades this semester and how she plans to do better.

BROOKLYN EXCELSIOR

May 2013

Karen Booker, CIT, CCC represented Footsteps to Follow at Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School’s First Annual Career day. She spent the day speaking with the 8th and 5th graders about her career choices.

SALA AWARD Faculty House

Columbia UniversityJune, 2013

Accion Academy sent four teams to the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Program Competitions in May. The 7th Grade Prosecution Team and the 8th Grade Defense team placed in the semi-finals against 36 public and private middle schools. The Accion Academy’s entire Mock Trial team received SALA awards and a special recognition for their achievement at the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial competition.

Karen Booker, Elaine Williams, Donna Grant, and Arlene Hamilton, Board Members attended the award dinner on FTF’s behalf.

C AREER DAY AT

THE DUMONT SCHOOL

May 2013

Whitney Matthews, ESQ, FTF Volunteer liaison represented Footsteps to Follow for its Fourth Annual Appearance at the Dumont school Career day.

ACCION AC ADEMY GRADUATION

ELAINE WILLIAMS, RETIRED CORPORATE EXECUTIVE GAVE A HEARTFELT COMMENCEMENT SPEECH AT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY TO THE ACCION ACADEMY IN JUNE. SHE SPOKE OF HER OWN CHALLENGES IN TRANSITIONING FROM BEING AN ATTORNEY TO A CORPORATE VP. SHE ENCOURAGED THE GRADUATES TO FACE THEIR FEARS AND CONTINUE TO GROW.

PS 268 MIDDLE SCHOOL

GRADUATIONJune 2013

Donna Grant, FTF Board Member asked each 2013 Graduate of P.S. 268 Middle School Graduating Class to stand and pledge their commitment to becoming lifelong learners and to achieve their educational and professional goals.

June is Graduation Time

w

w

Our Footsteps to Follow, Inc. Board Members

JUNE 15, 2013 ANNUAL BOARD MEETING LUNCHEON

AT HAVANA CENTRAL CARLE PLACE, NY

FOOTSTEPS TO FOLLOW BOARD MEMBERS

Diane Blake , Esq .Attorney

Arlene Hamilton, Esq.Attorney

Donna GrantAuthor

Robert Smith,MD, MPH Treasurer

Alice Scott, College ProfessorScholarship Advisor

Nikole Booker, Prinicpal

Education Advisor

Whitney Matthews, Esq.

Volunteer Advisor

Karen Booker, 2013 Board ChairSenior Government Manager

Elaine Williams, 2014 Board ChairRetired Corporate Executive

Lance Evans, Esq.Attorney