For the past seven years, ALKU has been a proud partner of BEST Kids, a nonprofit mentoring organization in Washington D.C. that empowers youth in foster care to build brighter futures. This fall ALKU’s partnership with BEST Kids will be turning eight. In the spirit of this and National Mentoring Month, we’re looking back to when this partnership first started.
This partnership was initiated by Personnel Services Manager, Mailee Zhou. The BEST Kid’s mission of supporting at-risk youth in foster care aligns with ALKU’s mentorship. The BEST Kids Mentoring Program is guided by the belief that all youth are talented. Through one-on-one mentoring, extensive training, staff support youth are encouraged to discover and develop their unique skills. Beginning with youth as young as six and continuing to eighteen, BEST Kids help youth develop a positive sense of self, evolve group social skills, and become productive members of society.
ALKU participates in various BEST Kids events and Volunteer Time Off days throughout the year. In the spring, the ALKrew in our Herdon office fundraise and dress up as a superhero to participate in the BEST Kids Superhero 5K and Fun Run in Washington D.C. to support this organization and the local community. In the fall, ALKU helps BEST Kids host their annual Art of The Matter event. The event consists of local performers from the local community including poets, dancers, rappers, singers, and more. In addition to a silent auction, which in the past year ALKU helped find auction items and shared event details on social. Last year, ALKU started private events with BEST Kids. One of these events was a Fun Day where the ALKrew planned activities and dinner for the kids.
In the future, ALKU is planning a Bring the Kids to ALKU Day as part of a mentor workshop day. Kids will get to shadow the ALKrew and experience what it’s like to work in the corporate world. The future for this partnership is bright, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact of mentoring grow!