Writing Samples
If you have ever gotten up early enough to witness the jittery excitement of a Black Friday sale, you would have an idea of the atmosphere that recently took over the University of Bridgeport student center.
Originally from Burgos, Spain, Giménez studies computer engineering at the university and would like to pursue a career writing computer programs.
“If you’d like to get involved with Save-A-Suit, don’t worry,” Sokolowski said. “There’s a lot you can do. Call us, Tweet us, share this experience with us. Call us if you want to do a suit drive. We want to do this again at your college. There are so many more students we want to reach. We can do this. We can all make this possible.”
Organization helps university students suit up
Written by Alex Jolicoeur
Wednesday, 30 November 2011 14:34
Wednesday, 30 November 2011 14:34
Save-A-Suit founder Scott Sokolowski helps a student pick out a suit.
The UB Career Services Center teamed up with Save-A-Suit, a nonprofit organization that provides college students with professional attire and the confidence needed to succeed, for an event called “Suit Up.” Save-A-Suit, real businesses and experienced professionals came together to arm college students with the confidence needed to reach their career goals.
“The event was extremely successful,” said Jessica Ewud, chief information officer, Save-A-Suit. “Exchange students from all over the world participated. It was magical to see a melting pot in one big room, where all cultures, races and backgrounds came together for a common purpose.”
This is where Save-A-Suit jumps in. With a collection of items donated from the local community, Save-A-Suit distributes not only clothing, but practical training, with the hope that students will get a leg up on the competition.
Dozens of student volunteers from the UB Fashion and Career Service departments came out to assist more than 200 students, many of whom hailed from countries such as China, Jordan, Spain and Russia. Students chose from racks of shirts, ties and full suits, trying on jackets right in the aisles.
“It’s a really good idea to have events like this,” said student Rubén Giménez. “It’s something we will need.”
Save -A-Suit Chief Information Officer Jessica Ewud shakes hands with University of Bridgeport student Goutham Kumar Maramreddy.
“I didn’t have a suit before, but now I have the suit and the information I need,” he said.
In addition, students also benefited from career advice from dozens of companies, including Barnum Financial Group, Toys R’ Us, Pitney Bowes, Aetna and Image Marketing Consultants, which provided resume critiques and mock interviews. Students also received free business cards, networking advice and even had their photos taken to start up a LinkedIn profile.
“Students have told me how great it was to have the opportunity to meet with different companies in an informal setting,” said Kiran Somaya, employer relations specialist at UB. “Job fairs can make them [students] nervous, so getting the chance not only to meet with professionals, but also to gain career advice from them was highly beneficial.”
At the end of the day, as volunteers shared in the not-so-fun work of cleaning up, students left the event with both smiles and tears.
“Kids walked in here wearing sneakers and jeans and walked out wearing their first suit,” Ewud said.
One student immediately went home and uploaded a picture of himself in his new suit to the Save-A-Suit Facebook page for the entire world to see.
“If we’re able to inspire that kind of confidence in a student, I’m satisfied,” said Scott Sokolowski, founder of Save-A-Suit. “Finding a job isn’t personal anymore. Employers have so many options, so they’re interviewing in bulk. You need to stand out and we’re hoping we can help students do that.”
The Founder talks to students about pursueing a career
Amelia Barbagallo, recruiting coordinator for Barnum Financial Group, an office of MetLife, participated in the event. “The students were very appreciative and receptive to all of the resources that we made available. It was extremely rewarding to hear the thankful remarks while conducting résumé reviews. The UB staff was also very grateful, and the set-up was very well organized. I hope to be included in events like this in the future.”
Tim Dupuis, of Image Marketing Consultants, said, “We share a common passion with the organization of providing college students with the necessary tools to help successfully enter the job market.”
“Working with Save A Suit was a natural fit for Image marketing consultants,” said Amanda Bellantoni, also of Image Marketing Consultants. “We were so glad to participate in their ‘Suit-Up’ event at the University of Bridgeport, and to speak with students one on one, sharing tips and suggestions for their upcoming job searches. It was a very positive event, and we hope to continue to participate and support the organization in the future.”
Fore more information, visit SaveaSuit.org or Facebook.com/saveasuit.
http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/thebridgeportnews/news/localnews/108918-organization-helps-university-students-suit-up.html
Funeral procession for justice in Philadelphia
Published: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Updated: Thursday, February 11, 2010 14:02
As the protesters marched toward Center City on Feb. 3 carrying candles, banners and signs shaped like skulls, people walking past stared at the wooden coffin decorated with red and black roses.
However, the coffin that drew so much attention did not contain a body, and the cardboard headstones were painted not with the names of people but with inscriptions mourning the "death" of Supplemental Security Income in Pennsylvania.
On Jan.16, the Department of Public Welfare decided to cut $5.30 from the State Supplemental Payments that go to the disabled, elderly and poor.
This cut comes from the meager maximum payment of $674 per month, which is already well below the poverty line.
While this cut would not mean a lot to most people, for those depending on SSP, this could mean having to decide between deodorant and bread.
"This hit everyone by surprise," said Andre Cureton, a peer advocate from Bethesda Project in Philadelphia. "My clients came up to me like, ‘What does this mean?'"
He shook his head as he rubbed his cold hands together.
"I have clients right now who can't even get their medication," Cureton said.
This is the main reason they marched: to show Pennsylvania representatives that the legislation that was quietly made had not gone unnoticed.
The crowd, led by a flock of men and women in wheelchairs and one blindfolded woman carrying the heavy scales of justice on her back, finally reached City Hall.
Local religious leaders, state advocates and people affected by the cut stepped up to the podium to educate the masses and share personal stories to convince everyone to make a difference.
Even though one picket sign read, "Justice is dead," Reverend Bill Golderer of Broadstreet Ministry made it clear that this will not be the end when he boomed from the podium:
"Call your legislator, call your governor, call them and say, ‘As long as you're able to make the way clear for profit and possibility for other people, make the way clear for possibilities for people who are trying to get by, for people who are trying to make a way, for people who are trying to become a part of the common wealth of Pennsylvania.'"
A mass of heavy-hearted local citizens, including some Eastern students, dressed in black, gathered outside of Broadstreet Ministry, a church in Philadelphia, and mourned a terrible and unjust death: the death of justice.
As the protesters marched toward Center City on Feb. 3 carrying candles, banners and signs shaped like skulls, people walking past stared at the wooden coffin decorated with red and black roses.
However, the coffin that drew so much attention did not contain a body, and the cardboard headstones were painted not with the names of people but with inscriptions mourning the "death" of Supplemental Security Income in Pennsylvania.
On Jan.16, the Department of Public Welfare decided to cut $5.30 from the State Supplemental Payments that go to the disabled, elderly and poor.
This cut comes from the meager maximum payment of $674 per month, which is already well below the poverty line.
While this cut would not mean a lot to most people, for those depending on SSP, this could mean having to decide between deodorant and bread.
"This hit everyone by surprise," said Andre Cureton, a peer advocate from Bethesda Project in Philadelphia. "My clients came up to me like, ‘What does this mean?'"
He shook his head as he rubbed his cold hands together.
"I have clients right now who can't even get their medication," Cureton said.
This is the main reason they marched: to show Pennsylvania representatives that the legislation that was quietly made had not gone unnoticed.
The crowd, led by a flock of men and women in wheelchairs and one blindfolded woman carrying the heavy scales of justice on her back, finally reached City Hall.
Local religious leaders, state advocates and people affected by the cut stepped up to the podium to educate the masses and share personal stories to convince everyone to make a difference.
Even though one picket sign read, "Justice is dead," Reverend Bill Golderer of Broadstreet Ministry made it clear that this will not be the end when he boomed from the podium:
"Call your legislator, call your governor, call them and say, ‘As long as you're able to make the way clear for profit and possibility for other people, make the way clear for possibilities for people who are trying to get by, for people who are trying to make a way, for people who are trying to become a part of the common wealth of Pennsylvania.'"
http://www.waltonian.com/news/funeral-procession-for-justice-in-philadelphia-1.1125660#.Tt7Xr3Old0R
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