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July 2022 Newsletter

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Hello!

My name is Tim Nguyen, and I am a recent graduate from the University of Missouri – Kansas City and an intern with The DeBruce Foundation. This summer, I’ve been reflecting on the people in my network who have stood beside me, given me advice, or encouraged me toward my next opportunity. Their Agility of “Developing Others” has made a lasting impact on my life. They’ve taught me…

  • Grow comfortable with being uncomfortable
  • Understand your “why” for pursuing your next opportunity
  • Accept rejection as redirection
  • People can invest in me only as much as I invest in myself

I’m grateful to work with The DeBruce Foundation and for the opportunity to help others forward in their career journey. This summer, I encourage you to reflect on your network and see how you might use your “Developing Others” Agility – you just might impact a life!

Developing Agilities at IDEA Space KC

Congratulations to our friends at IDEA Space KC on their grand opening! This innovative team renovated a vacant grocery store into a one-of-a-kind learning center that will equip thousands of students around Kansas City with essential STEAM and workforce skills.

In the first week of being open, elementary and middle school students from Center and Grandview school districts have already explored furniture design, cartography, 3D printing, and more!

Learn more about IDEA Space KC


Equipping career counselors at the state level

Our team recently traveled to Indianapolis to train and support partners as they help individuals expand their career pathways.

In the adjacent picture, newly Certified Agilities Coaches dig into career literacy resources including video libraries, resume tips, prepared activities, and more.

Stay tuned for exciting updates about this initiative in the fall!

Collaborating and solving for workforce gaps

Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, our Executive Director and COO, participated in a panel hosted by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City on workforce gaps in the agricultural industry.

The panel explored the current state of the agricultural workforce, training for skilled trades, cultivating industry leaders, and preparing workers for resilient careers:

To ensure the workforce we need…to continue to integrate earning with learning across the lifetime.” – Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight

Speakers from Kansas Department of Commerce, Armada Corporate Intelligence, State Technical College of Missouri, Agriculture Future of America, SureFire Ag Systems, and The DeBruce Foundation weighed in on workforce solutions.

Expanding pathways through STEM

Our team, with our friends at KC STEM Alliance, was delighted to attend, present at, and support People, Planet, Prosperity: Spring 2022 STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice Convening.

Patti Dobrowolski, 4x TEDx Speaker, live illustrator, and co-creator of Draw Your Future with Agilities, was a fantastic keynote speaker for the event.

Here’s to expanding pathways throughout the workforce, including in STEM!


The impact of real world learning

We were honored to support ProX this summer, a collaboration which gave nearly 440 high school students the opportunity to explore the workforce, gain awareness of their work skills, explore their interests, build their networks, and kick off their careers through summer internships!

“‘This is just a peek of the impact that real-world learning and access to mentors and new experiences makes for kids,’ said Laura Evans from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.”

Read more about ProX via KCUR: “This summer, Kansas City high schoolers get paid to dream up sustainable architecture.”

Engaging with early workforce talent

Our team, including DeBruce Career Corps Member Jada, facilitated a roundtable conversation at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Early Talent Summit.

With hiring professionals in attendance from more than 90 local companies and organizations, the Summit discussed the changing landscape and opportunities when hiring and working with young professionals.

More about the Early Talent Summit

Start here and go anywhere: Agilities at MCC

In this month’s blog, Robin Allen, Project Coordinator at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, shares about their partnership with The DeBruce Foundation.

Starting in Fall 2022, every first-year college student will take the Agile Work Profiler, followed by further career exploration, to inform their education and career path.

Learn more about MCC’s commitment to expanding career pathways.

Join us for Agilities Training

Are you looking to boost the career literacy of your students, program participants, or clients?

Attend a virtual or in-person training to enhance how you and your team can leverage career resources and embed them into your programming:

8/9 Agilities Tour
8/16 
Leveraging Agilities & Essential Skills 
8/23 Agilities Tour
9/13 
Leveraging Agilities & Essential Skills 
9/29-30 Certified Agility Coach Training

View all upcoming opportunities.


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