Boys & Girls Club caps UpNext pilot year with networking event

The event celebrated the inaugural year of the UpNext program and allowed participants to network. (All photos courtesy of the Boys & Girls Club of Delaware)

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware held a networking seminar earlier this month to showcase the participants of a new program focused on developing skills, experience and knowledge for the workforce.

Wilmington’s Goldey-Beacom College hosted the event on Friday, Aug. 2 in which the Boys & Girls Clubs’ UpNext enrollees had their talents and achievements highlighted and while they connected with employers.

​​The UpNext curriculum provides a more detailed and comprehensive overview to participants, providing them with what they need for success in the future.

Its participants worked in clubs throughout Delaware from Monday to Thursday this summer, implementing programs like TriplePlay and Eyeball It , and served as youth development professionals for the  Summer Fun Club program.

TriplePlay focuses on three parts of health: the mind (through healthy habit activities), the body (through daily physical challenges) and the soul (through social recreation like building healthy friendships).

Eyeball It is a program of art and unlocking children’s creativity.

During this time, the participants gained workplace experience and skills, using club directors as mentors, with mentors providing feedback focused on dress code, performance and career growth in the industry.

“What makes this program different from most jobs programs is the My Future Fridays,” said Chief Operating Officer John Tucker. “We teach them the soft skills that were on display today: the resume writing, the elevator speech, the branding, the things you heard in the speed networking.”

UpNext is another program where the organization can reach and serve teens in a new way, said David Prichard, county teen director.

“Being able to develop their workforce skills and work alongside them as coworkers during the summer was a great opportunity to help them grow,” he said. “The first year of UpNext has been successful, and we are excited to see how we can continue to improve it over time.”

The event also featured a career fair attended by local corporate sponsors where the Boys & Girls Club youth employees had the opportunity to practice and receive feedback on their resumes, elevator pitches and general interview skills.