Professional Development!

This week, we would like to spotlight another part of our Summer Programming – the third installment of HALO’s Professional Development class!

This course is geared toward youth that are looking for guidance on achieving personal and professional goals. Professional topics – such as resume building, interview skills, and workplace etiquette – are covered. The course also helps to build youths’ personal skills, including stress-management, goal setting, and more! Youth that graduate from this course receive two professional interview outfits, gift cards, a jump drive filled with valuable resources and course materials, printing and HALO Computer Lab access, first priority for any HALO scholarship funds, and more! This course provides youth with a wonderful opportunity to receive extra guidance in their personal and professional goals, plus a chance to form connections with established business members of the community.

The first night of the class this semester started with a motivational speech by Brian Davidson, a renowned MMA fighter, Karate instructor, and friend of HALO. Mr. Davidson spoke to the youth about never giving up on their dreams and how to navigate their “life fight.” The themes of perseverance and goal-setting were a great way to kick off the class!

Then, youth and volunteers paired up for the My PLAN (Positive Life Action Now) Packet activity. This packet contains multiple questions for HALO staff to determine the youths’ goals and the aspects of achieving these goals that may require some assistance. The packets also ask each youth what they think a professional person is like – read some of the awesome answers below!

We’re excited for another installment of Professional Development, and can’t wait to see what our youth achieve this summer!

For more information on how you can make the dream of a HALO youth come true, visit our website at haloworldwide.org or like us on Facebook!

The motivational speaker, Brian Davidson, talking about the importance of setting goals and persevering!

This youth has set some big goals – and believes “a lot of coffee” is an important part of being a professional person.

This youth shows interest in, one day, helping other troubled youth – so inspiring!

A very good description – “classy clothes” are always important!

A “fashion empire” is a large goal to set, but we believe this youth can achieve it!

“Some type of suit and tie” certainly fits the dress code of a professional person.

Sewing and Fashion Design!

HALO’s Summer Semester is filled with fun programming for our youth. We’d like to highlight one of our summer workshops – Sewing and Fashion Design!

This class is taught by Whitney Manney, a local fashion designer. She is teaching youth about the process of designing and creating fashion from the ground up. Youth are learning a little something about everything, from hand- and machine-sewing basics to the creative process of designing! Youth will also be able to create an entire unique runway look for the HALO Center Fashion Show!

The HALO Center’s 5th Annual Fashion Show takes place on August 6th, and these youth are going to be working very hard to create their own unique outfits for this event. The Fashion Show will be held at the Terrace on Grand, and all proceeds benefit the HALO Learning Center in Kansas City. For more information on the Fashion Show or to purchase tickets and sponsor a child, check it out here!

We’re still looking for volunteers! We have openings throughout our summer programming, and we’d love to have more Fashion Show volunteers. If you’re interested, email aubonychalfant@haloworldwide.org or check out volunteermark.com – just search for HALO!

For more information on how you can make the dream of a HALO youth come true, visit our website at haloworldwide.org or like us on Facebook!

Before the creative process can really begin, Whitney teaches the youth how to thread a needle and hand sew.

Whitney helps a youth tie off her thread.

Trying out hand-stitching for the first time!

This is pretty impressive for a first-timer! Straight stitches require a lot of focus!

Threading the needle can be the hardest part!

Summer is Here!

The grass is green, the birds are singing, and HALO’s Summer Semester is in full swing!

HALO’s Summer Semester began on June 1st, and we have lots of fun programming going on every day. Mondays hold classes such as Dance, Fashion Design, Improv, and DJ’ing. On Tuesdays, we have a Professional Development class that will greatly benefit our youth. On Thursdays, some HALO youth have the opportunity to attend a Cosmetology class. Yoga is on Fridays. In addition, there are Art workshops every evening Monday through Thursday. Scroll down to take a look at the schedule!

If you are interested in volunteering with HALO, check out all of our open volunteer positions on volunteermark.com – just search for HALO!

All of our Summer classes culminate in the 5th Annual HALO-KC Youth Fashion Show – Be YOUnigue, Be YOUtiful, Be YOU! The Fashion show is on August 6th at the Terrace on Grand, and all proceeds benefit the HALO Learning Center in Kansas City. For more information on the Fashion Show or to purchase tickets and sponsor a child, check it out here!

For more on how you can make the dream of a HALO youth come true, visit our website at haloworldwide.org or like us on Facebook!

Wrapping Up "Focus!"

To wrap up May’s life skill, Focus, HALO youth were challenged to flex their Focus muscles by participating in different activities and art projects.

First, HALO youth and volunteers were paired up, assigned a picture, and asked to take turns giving each other directions on how to draw the picture. But, there was a catch – the person drawing couldn’t see what the picture was, and the person giving directions couldn’t tell them! Youth and volunteers had to focus on listening to their partner and on the instructions they were being given.

The next challenge involved two teams racing to build a pyramid of cups. This had to be done without using their hands – they could only use two pencils! This challenge took A LOT of focus while the teams cheered or jeered for one another.

The final activity took a look at focusing inward. This involved a focus on how things make you feel or what they make you think. To do this, youth were played a few different songs without words. They were then asked to express any thoughts or feelings inspired by the music through writing or drawing. This took quiet time and a focus on their own reactions, plus plenty of focus on how to put their feelings into an image.

Overall, youth were able to flex their focus muscles in multiple ways, and it was a great end to our May life skill. Scroll through the pictures to take a look!

Attention, volunteers! HALO has multiple volunteer opportunities this summer. All of our volunteer positions are listed on volunteermark.com when you search for HALO!

For more information on how you can make the dream of a HALO youth come true, visit our website at haloworldwide.org or like us on Facebook!

Youth and volunteers paired up and focusing on the first activity!

One HALO youth deep in thought and flexing those Focus muscles!

A very powerful representation of how a song made one youth feel.

A product of one youth's time and focus.

Another powerful image created by a HALO youth's inward focus.

A HALO youth uses a very powerful word, "Peace," to express feelings inspired by a song.

A youth's visual representation of feelings inspired by a song.

A lot of powerful and important ideas are expressed here!