Open House!
This Saturday, April 2, 2022 we had an Open Hand Open House to introduce ourselves to the community and give interested interns, volunteers, and business partners an opportunity to meet our staff.
We are also celebrating 20 years of serving youth and their families with job placement, professional development, and educational services. It was such a blessing to reflect on where we came from and where we are going.
We are excited to see what the next chapter of our organization will look like and to welcome the community to be a part of the process.
The Open House was all about our interns, who are our mission. It was a blessing to see the diverse group of interns we have impacted over the years. Over the years, we have seen youth grow and become accomplished and confident adults.
We are enthusiastic to add more interns to the Open Hand family this summer!
The Open House highlighted current community partners who have contributed to our success in various ways. Host employers have graciously opened their businesses and nonprofits to our interns to give them an opportunity to gain hands-on training.
Some host employers we have had over the years include Fredericksburg Voter Registration, Stafford Junction, Downtown Greens Inc.,Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic, SPCA of Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, Sonic of Fredericksburg,Boys & Girls Club of the Rappahannock Region, Salem Fields Community Church.
Some new host employers joining us this year include Fredericksburg Area Museum, Joshua Hand, and more.
Our Community Partners also diligently contribute to our interns through donations and grants. Some grantors we were able to thank were Duff McDuff Green, Jr Foundation; Mary Washington Healthcare; andChick-fil-A Lee’s Hill.
Our Community Partners also serve our youth by offering their wisdom about the business world during our Professional Development Workshop.
Some business partners joining us this year are Bookmobile Fredericksburg, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Joshua Hand.
It was such an encouragement to see familiar and new community partners this Saturday. It is not too late to participate this summer as a community partner! We are still welcoming new partnerships!
The Open House was heavily attended by Open Hand staff and volunteers. They are the backbone of our organization. They work one to one with interns, strategizing behind the scenes, and in the office managing administrative tasks. Each individual that dedicates their time to our organization is valuable! During the presentation, we highlighted different ways community members can get involved and serve our local students. Volunteer opportunities include: mentors, event volunteers, administrative support, and fundraising.
Special thanks to: Sarah Whitt, our new GRAD administrative support; Juan Castro, a former intern who now volunteers his time regularly for GRAD; Dan Donehey and John Taussig, our IT guys; Pastor Bob Becker, our founder and President of the Board; Debra Smith, our PEARLS Lead Instructor; Veronica Eberlein, our new Board Member; Wayne Driver, our Vice President of the Board; Tamara Driver, our Grant Writer and Board Member; Scott Erdelatz, Board Member; and Ricky Jones, Board Member.
We are always looking for volunteers and would love you to join us!