Higher Up Celebrates ‘Meaningful’ First Summer Job and Internship Program

By L.A. Parker | laparker@trentonian.com  | The Trentonian

UPDATED: September 24, 2024 at 2:34 p.m.

A correspondence from Wendy McDade, co-founder-executive director of Higher Up, a new non-profit that serves current and graduated Hightstown High School students including those who are underrepresented and underprivileged, included one significant aspect of her organization’s first summer job and internship program.

“Through meaningful summer jobs and internships, Higher Up supports local students in shaping their dreams and reaching their highest potential,” she wrote.

Meaningful matters. While many students place in summer job programs that fail to spark learning and growth, meaningful employment and opportunities can change lives and stimulate dreams.

In celebration of the accomplishments and contributions of all participants in the non-profit’s first summer job and internship Better Together program, Higher Up hosts an end of summer event on Wednesday, August 28, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor, unites students, parents, volunteers, and donors to celebrate the program’s success. Certificates will be awarded to both students and partner-employers in recognition of their achievements.

Co-Founder Wendy McDade notes, “In our local community, we know that we’re better when we’re working together to invest in our young people and their bright futures. And this celebration acknowledges the part that so many people have played in the success of the inaugural year of Higher Up.”

Higher Up partnered with Mercer County’s Summer Youth Jobs Connection Program. A grant from the Department of Labor covered 30 paid placements for Higher Up students who are current or graduated Hightstown High School (HHS) students from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Higher Up provided a five-session Readiness Program in workplace etiquette, interviewing skills, and other topics, as well as guest speakers from the business community. The students recognized the importance of the sessions. One student said, “Before I went to the Readiness Program, I didn’t know that I didn’t know,” to describe her unawareness about functioning in real-world situations.

Additionally, Higher Up provided financial assistance for student transportation via the “Let’s Go” Transportation Fund, and appropriate workplace attire via the Student Success Fund. To help the students to be more fully prepared, the fund also provided special assistance such as a CAD class at Mercer County Community College for a student working for an architect and the purchase of a laptop lent to a student doing interviews at a law practice.

Students, including several who attend both HHS and Mercer County Technical School, were matched with positions based on their interests, and each partner stepped up to deliver a valuable experience. Many of the Higher Up participants have said they are now considering careers based on their placement experiences.

Their positions include working as park rangers, graphic designers, teaching assistants, and community food pantry workers, and in a variety of office-based positions, including insurance, marketing, architecture, and law.

Sounds like a meaningful and impressive first year. Rosa Prada-Rodriguez, Higher Up co-founder, agreed.

“We are all looking forward to the Better Together celebration,” she says. “It’s a great opportunity to acknowledge the people who have contributed in so many ways. We want to thank them for everything they have done to inspire our students while demonstrating their dedication to improving the community by making vital ‘human investments.’ And we are enthusiastic about more people getting involved to help our young people prepare for their futures.”

To learn more about the program, please check higherupnj.org. For information about the Better Together celebration, contact Wendy McDade at 609 469 4942.

L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.

Originally Published: August 22, 2024 at 2:46 p.m.