We were honored to host Leadership Maryland, a very successful statewide leadership program, at the Brewery for an insightful and inspiring event. This visit was part of the Central Maryland Health & Human Services Tour, and we are proud that Humanim was one of the tour’s featured stops. The visit included a panel discussion about our Youth Transition Services and the efforts Humanim is making to ensure workplace readiness for youth with developmental and learning disabilities.
The panel featured a diverse group of speakers, including representatives from our education partners, youth speakers who have directly benefited from our programs, and employer partners who have supported our mission by providing internship opportunities.
Our education partner, Baltimore Lab School, was represented by three school faculty members who make our collaboration in creating employment opportunities for youth possible. Alongside them were our two inspiring youth speakers, Phillip Daniels IV (aka P4), Baltimore Lab School’s Valedictorian for the Class of 2024, and Mel Malis, a graduate of Baltimore Lab School’s Class of 2024.
P4 shared his experience interning at the University of Maryland St. Joseph’s Medical Center in the Dietary Department through our program. He restocked snacks and drinks and provided meals for the medical center. P4 highlighted that the internship taught him lifelong skills including teamwork, patience, and efficiency. He will be studying Film and Communications at Stevenson University, and his advice to other youth going through the program is: “It’s an honor to do internships… so just hang in there and learn a new skill and make the best of your experiences.”
Mel spoke about her internship at Maryland SPCA where she cared for animals in the shelter. She plans to study animal behaviors through the Community College of Baltimore County’s PAWS program. She emphasized how her hands-on experience with animals allowed her to realize her passion for caring for furry friends and working with other team members. Her advice to anyone who wants to make the most out of their internship is: “Ask your bosses for help when you need it” and to not be afraid of asking to see how to do a task one more time.
We extend a sincere thanks to our employer partners, Harris Teeter in Ellicott City and University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) for sharing their insights on the panel and providing opportunities for our interns to grow. This year, UMMS provided internships to twenty-five of our program participants, overall contributing to the broader goal of building a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Harris Teeter had fifteen of our participants intern and hired eight of them as full-fledged employees! With the help of our employer partners, we are able to equip our interns with valuable skills and experiences that will serve them well in their future careers.
The panel discussion emphasized the importance of creating supportive pathways for youth with developmental and learning disabilities to transition into the workforce. It also provided a space for Maryland’s workforce leaders to come together and discuss how they can leverage their resources to support this mission and create inclusive and supportive environments for all individuals.
Thank you, Leadership Maryland, our panelists, and everyone who continues to support Humanim’s mission. Together, we are making a difference and empowering the future generation.