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The beginning of summer is always a good time for me to look back and assess all that has happened in the past year. I asked 3 of our high school seniors to reflect on their time at Keys 2 Success. I was amazed by their depth of insight and maturity as they considered their own futures and gave advice to the next generation of Interns and Urban Fellows. Even in the face of uncertainty and challenges, we continue to do what is most important, to live, love, learn, and pass it all on to the next generation. May you be filled with hope for the future as you read the reflections of our teenagers.
Jee-Hoon Krska, Executive Director
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Inspired by the hard work and large hearts of everyone around me—Ms. Krska, Ms. Marcia, all the interns, staff, and students. Inspired by the immense impact of these organizations on individuals and entire communities alike. I have not been here since the beginning, but seeing the immense strides made in the past two years alone towards removing systemic barriers to arts education and ensuring that as many students as possible get to experience art in all its forms has made it very clear to me just how attainable change can be. The world can be a daunting size but when you zoom in, you really start to see how far dedication and resilience can go in making an impact within a community—within a city even. I guess to sum it up neatly, since working at Keys & ACCA, this idea of community and change within a community has become something ever-present in my life, in my mind, and in my hopes and plans for the future in ways which it never was before.
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Ella working with students at ACCA Creates Summer Arts Program
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My advice for the next generation of Interns at Keys is to take every opportunity to attend the students’ performances. There’s only so much you can experience behind a computer screen, so I encourage all to go out and witness the performances live, befriend the students, their families, and even your fellow interns, and see the way in which music fills the room and uplifts everyone within.
After a certain amount of time passes, people become permanent fixtures in your life even when they’re physically absent, which is why this doesn’t really feel like a goodbye. So…good-bye for now and I hope to see you all soon :’)
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After four months of volunteering, I started my Urban Fellowship with Keys 2 Success in June of my sophomore year. You’d think I would’ve expected it, but it came as a complete surprise. I couldn’t comprehend that I could earn money from the work I did.
‘It was just writing.’ I thought.
Before, my perception of my art was simple: it was a hobby.
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Nothing more, nothing less. I pushed this mentality to remind myself that I couldn’t make a career out of it. Others could, but I was different. I didn’t have the luxury to hope I would get lucky in the future. I had to be absolutely certain I could make money. And at the time, I believed this Fellowship could provide me with such certainty.
Despite the initial surprise, the job quickly became another norm of my life. I design websites, posters, and social media posts on a weekly basis now. The art I create spreads the mission of Keys 2 Success to countless people. While I could never physically be there to help out, my presence is still known. I have an impact.
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A Social Media Post Created by Ashley
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My internship hasn’t eased my concern about making a career out of my art, but it has given me a new understanding of it. Art is a universal language, one that I feel I’ve conquered. This wouldn’t have been possible without the financial security I’ve gotten from this job. I hope in the future, I can achieve the same security, even if it’s not with art. Maybe then, I could have an impact on more people’s lives by freely creating art without the worry of money.
My advice to younger Interns and Fellows of Keys 2 Success is simple: don’t be afraid of falling in love with art. Even if you don’t feel comfortable enough to pursue it in the future, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy it while you can. Use your art, in whatever form it may be in, to express yourself to others. I promise you it’s possible, no matter your circumstances.
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It still took time for me to learn and become comfortable with those aspects, but thankfully I was in an environment where I could grow over time. I would have to say that that was one of the aspects of Keys 2 Success that I admired most: everyone was encouraged to grow and improve as we went on. From having weekly recaps discussing what worked or could be changed from the week before to going through training to learn how to be more socially conscious people, both inside and outside the classroom.
For all newcomers, my biggest advice is to keep an open mind. As a part of Keys, you will jump headfirst into things you never thought you could do. Here, your biggest asset is flexibility and a “yes and” mentality. I never thought of myself as particularly technologically skilled. Still, over the past few months, I have found myself editing audio here and there for the podcast, and this is only a minuscule fraction of what I have been fortunate enough to learn here. Flexibility is your friend. With nonprofit organizations especially, it takes a village to keep growing and expanding, so sometimes things change and it is in your best interest to change with them.
Additionally, listen to your peers. Everyone around you, from the staff, students, teachers, volunteers, and even your fellow interns has a story to share, you included. Over the course of your time with Keys, you will get to know them and maybe even hear their stories, so make sure you are paying attention. Keys is a community-based group, and one of the best ways to form a community is to share with each other, so be prepared and open to sharing when your time comes.
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A Social Media Post Created By Haley
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At Keys, you will find you are surrounded by a group of ever-changing, ever-growing, ever-improving learners. This organization is one that strives to leave the world a little better than how it found it, and as a member, you should do your part to achieve this goal. Thanks to people like Mrs. Krska and Mrs. Marcia, an environment of security and communication has been formed, and it is your responsibility as a member to do everything you can to maintain this environment, and you must not take this lightly. Nevertheless, despite the more serious aspects you will encounter as part of Keys, please do not forget to partake in the joy you will witness. There is nothing quite like watching the students perform after months of practicing or the spontaneous dance parties during breaks from class in summer camp. While trying to spread its message, Keys still manages to value all milestones, small and big ones alike.
As a new member of Keys, you have reached your first milestone with the nonprofit, and I urge you to continue to reach milestones here. I wish you the best of luck and know that you will achieve great things.
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As we reported in our newsletter, Keys 2 Success partnered with the Discovery Orchestra to rediscover the music of Black American composer, Margaret Bonds, through their performance of “Walk With Me”. Here's a short video that captures the key highlights of that event. Hope you enjoy it!
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This past year was a great year of growth in giving which allowed us to increase the number of students served, to over 150 all around Newark. Thank you to everyone who is investing in our youth.
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