Year Up's Washington D.C. site opened its doors in February of 2006. We have been overwhelmed with the warm welcome and support from both corporate and community partners in the Capital Region. Over 33,000 young adults in the DC area do not have access to livable wage careers or higher education. Our inaugural class has proven that these young adults are capable of adding immediate value to local companies, and we look forward to closing the opportunity divide in this community with your help.

WHAT'S NEW
To view our news archive, click here

VPP Investors and Team Share the Holiday Spirit with Year Up, NCR, VPP's Newest Investment Partner

Year Up and VPP Enter $4.5 Million Investment Partnership

Venture Philanthropy Partners (VPP) and Year Up announced today VPP's largest single investment to date—$4.5 million—in the National Capital Region (NCR) site of Year Up. Lauded by President Barack Obama for its proven, innovative approach, Year Up is a national organization that provides career training to low-income young adults and helps them secure internships with top US companies. Read More

President Obama Visits Year Up

On Friday, June 19, 2009, Year Up was honored and recognized by President Barack Obama with a visit to our Washington, DC site. Our students, staff, corporate and philanthropic partners hosted the president as he toured the program. Read More

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WHO WE SERVE
Year Up serves high school graduates and GED recipients ages 18 to 24 years old from the Metro Washington D.C. area. Currently we have students from the District, Prince Georges County, Montgomery County, and Fairfax County.

EVENTS

YEAR UP NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, class of JANUARY 2010 graduation Year Up cordially invites you to join our graduation ceremony with guest speaker Chancellor Keith Motley, University of Massachusetts Boston.
DATE:	Friday, February 5, 2010
TIME:	11:30am-1:30pm Lunch will be served
LOCATION:	Omni Shoreham Hotel 2500 Calvert Street, NW Washington, DC 20008 View Larger Map
RSVP/MORE INFO:	Marlissa Hudson mhudson@yearup.org 703.822.1947 by January 22, 2010
For a print friendly version, click here.

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BOARD MEMBERS
Washington D.C. LOCAL BOARD

national Board of Directors

national Technical Local Board

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CONTACT US
Address:
Year Up, Washington D.C.  
1560 Wilson Blvd., Suite 350
Arlington, VA 22209

Phone and Fax:
Phone: 703-312-9327
Fax: 703-312-7986

For driving directions:

For questions about becoming a Year Up student, contact:
Michael Williams
mwilliamsII@yearup.org

To hire a Washington D.C. intern, contact:
Hamid Elaissami
helaissami@yearup.org

To volunteer at Year Up, contact:
Cherie Smith
cksmith@yearup.org

To invest in or donate to Year Up, contact:
Tynesia Boyea-Robinson
tboyea@yearup.org

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Director of Development, Washington, D.C.
Donor Relations Manager, Washington, D.C.
IT Instructor, Washington, D.C
Development Manager, Washington, D.C

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Kristy Arnold, M.Ed.
Student Services Specialist
Kristy is a native of Atlanta, GA and is known for being a proud Southern Belle. Kristy received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Georgia and a M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from Howard University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education with a dissertation centered on race, ethnicity, and culture while simultaneously working towards her license. With regard to her clinical experience, she has primarily served in community counseling environments. Kristy has worked with adolescents in the juvenile system, conducted sexual abuse group sessions (with victims), provided individual counseling sessions to young adults, and was a psychometrist within a private practice. Kristy also has a special interest in volunteerism and has mentored underserved youth in local Boys-n-Girls clubs and throughout various mentor programs. A word that many Year Up students would likely quote as being Kristy’s favorite is “choice”, as she fully believes that in order for you to reach your goals and fulfill your destiny you must unapologetically choose your paths.

JUAN CARLOS ARTERO
Junior Tech Instructor
Juan Carlos is a Junior Tech Instructor and a graduate of Year Up program has been employed of Year Up since Aug 2007. He enrolled as a student in September 2006 and completed his internship at Freddie Mac. After graduating from the program he became as employee of Year up Washington Dc as Junior Tech Instructor and IT Support. Currently he is working on his Network + certification and attending NOVA community college for his Associate Degree in Networking Engineering. Juan Carlos Is a native of El Salvador and reside in Arlington Virginia with his 5 months girl Shantell Alexa.

RÉnu Beniwal
Learning Community Leader
Rénu joins the Year Up team with several years of experience as a project manager for a national leadership consulting firm and as an educator in higher education. Rénu’s passion for empowering young adults goes beyond the classroom and into the community. Rénu has coordinated youth programs in Southern California addressing race relation issues in the community and has taught intercultural communication and speech communication at Howard University. Rénu combines her skills and passion for communication education and empowering youth by instructing Year Up’s business writing course. Rénu earned an M.A. in Communication & Culture from Howard University and a B.A. in Sociology from San Diego State University.

Nikki Berte
Director of People Development
Nikki comes to Year Up with experience in many different educational environments and a love for working with young adults. As part of Year Up's start-up team, Nikki has been instrumental in developing Year Up's professional skills and business communications curricula. Prior to joining Year Up, Nikki worked in a variety of Boston area schools and local programs throughout Mattapan and Dorchester. There, she helped develop and taught in Youth to Work, literacy, and ESL programs. She has also taught English abroad, including one year in Bangkok, Thailand. Nikki graduated from Boston University with a major in English and a minor in Spanish.

Valentino Burke
IT Instructor

Lynell Crawford
Admissions Manager
Lynell comes to Year Up with 16 years of progressive experience working in non-profit organizations. Prior to joining Year Up, he was the Family & Community Partnerships Manager at a large child-development agency in which he was responsible for the service delivery to 1183 child and families in Camden & Camden County. He was also responsible for the development of all the agency's community-based partnerships. He has also held positions as a Coordinator of Youth & Family Programs, Youth & Family Development Program Supervisor, and positions in Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol services. Lynell is excited to be joining the Year Up family and is eager to work with the staff and the young adults that are enrolled in the program. Lynell holds a BA degree from the University of Massachusetts/Boston, and an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania.

Lucila Crena
Special Projects Fellow
Lucila comes to Year Up through the Inspire Fellows program, and she will be responsible for developing and executing strategy to launch the Baltimore site in 2010. She began her career in the Atlanta office of Bain & Company working on corporate growth and adjacency projects in the financial services, hospitality, telecom, and retail sectors. Outside of her business experience, Lucila has worked for the Americas Program at the Carter Center, the Latin American Research Group at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and the community outreach ministry at Grace at Fort Clarke UMC in Gainesville, Florida. She also co-founded SCEEN, an Emory organization that uses the consulting model to support non-profits by providing them with leveraged student teams. Lucila graduated magna cum laude from Emory University with a BA in Economics.

Hamid Elaissami
Director of Internships
Hamid is the Director Internships and came to the US by way of Morocco. He learned at a very early age that the only thing that really matters in life is knowledge, precisely knowledge through education. Prior to Year up, Hamid was involved in economic development through teaching youth entrepreneurship and providing small business technical assistance. His corporate experience includes retail management and financial planning with Morgan Stanley. Hamid earned a Bachelor of Science in economic development and a Master of Science in finance from the George Washington University in Washington DC and has lived there since 1997.

Nicole Escuadro
Business Writing Instructor
Nicole comes to Year Up with a strong passion for education and writing. She received her BA in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara and her MA in English from Georgetown University. Through her family's emphasis on education and her own experience in academia, she developed a profound interest in teaching young people and providing them with the tools to think critically and be successful in whatever they pursue. After graduating from Georgetown in 2008, where she worked as a teaching assistant and Writing Center tutor, she served as an adjunct professor of English at Trinity Washington University in Northeast DC and at the Art Institute of Washington in Rosslyn, VA. She also taught a summer writing course at Georgetown University. She believes that language and writing are "world-making" tools, and the means to develop authority and construct one's voice and self.

Theodore Frazier
IT Instructor
Ted, better known as Uncle Ted, was born in South Carolina to a large village of mostly farmers and fishermen. After completing high school, Ted joined the USAF where he traveled the far northern parts of New York State, Eastern New Mexico and England. Shortly after the Air Force, Ted attended Eastern New Mexico University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Technology. Upon graduation Ted worked for his alma mater, Eastern New Mexico University, as the Computer System Manager of the then newly automated library system. Ted longed for home and relocated back to the East Coast, settling into Washington DC. Ted has continued his studies of computer technology including computer networking, currently holding certifications in MCSE, MCP, A+, and Network+. Ted taught the A+ course at Nova (Loudoun campus) for 6 years. Ted describes himself as a teacher by nature. Ted is currently pursuing continuing education courses in computer technology at Georgetown University and will obtain a CCNA and Security+ certification in July 2009.

Bridgette F. Gray
Director of Operations
Bridgette joined the Year Up team as Director of Operations in the DC office in the fall of 2007. Prior to joining Year Up, Bridgette had an extensive background in National Service, working with such organizations as the Corporation for National & Community Service, Earth Conservation Corps and Hands On Network/Points of Light Foundation. Bridgette has served as a VISTA Project Director for the state of Tennessee; a Senior Corps Project Director; and an Independent Consultant in the areas of National Service, Education, Diversity and Leadership Development. Over the years Bridgette has developed a strong passion for working with older youth, aiding them towards reaching their highest potential. Bridgette completed her undergraduate work in Human Services Management at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and will pursue her MBA in the fall of 2008.

Lynn Jenkins English
Development Director

Roxanna Garcia Marcus
Donor Relations Manager
Roxanna joined the Year Up team in July 2008 as the Development Manager.  A Florida native, Roxanna first came to the DC area when she served as an AmeriCorps member with City Year.  A first-generation American, Roxanna said she was drawn to the opportunity to give back to her community and country in a meaningful and lasting way.  After graduating with a BA in Public Relations from the University of Florida, Roxanna served as the Development Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida.  There she worked on all aspects of the agency’s fundraising and strengthened the organization’s brand.  At Year Up, she works with other members of the development team to support the site through grant writing, individual solicitations and other fundraising opportunities.

Cashielle Nelson
Student Relations Coordinator
Cashielle Nelson was born and raised in New Orleans, LA, but has lived in Virginia most of her life. Cashielle initially joined Year Up as a temp in Admissions. While working at Year Up, Cashielle became a believer in Year Up’s mission to help young adults succeed while impressing the staff with her organization and attention to detail, and seized the opportunity to join the Year Up family. Cashielle brings a wide range of professional experience to Year Up from her positions in the administrative, human resources, and recruiting fields. Having worked for 15+ years for a range of industries, including education, government, and government contracts, Cashielle has a strong understanding of what Year Up students need to be successful and brings that knowledge to the Admissions Team. Cashielle has a degree in Paralegal Studies with a minor in Information Technology from Northern Virginia Community College.

Meredith Potempa
Admissions Manager
Meredith comes to Year Up from Chicago, where she gained several years of experience in management within both corporate and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining the team, she was working for Rocket Learning, a supplemental education services provider, where she was providing management at eight of the company's sites. Additionally, she has a great deal of experience in providing individuals and families with crisis intervention and intensive therapeutic services in the city of Chicago, through Community Counseling Centers of Chicago. She has received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame, and her Master's Degree in Social Work with a specialization in Leadership Development from Loyola University Chicago. Meredith is very happy to return to the east coast, as she used to live in Maryland, but is more excited to be part of the Year Up team and work with both the students and staff in an effort to fulfill the organization's ever important mission.

Deidra Prather
Internship Coordinator
A native Washingtonian, Deidra earned her Associates Degree in Electronics, Computer Technology and Telecommunications from Tesst College. After graduating from Tesst, Deidra heard about a program starting in the DC area that focuses on IT, professional development, paid internships and job placement. Realizing she wanted to increase her knowledge of IT and put herself in line with a great career, Deidra decided to apply to Year Up, was accepted and is now a graduate and Alum of the first graduating class in the National Capital Region! After completing her internship at Perot Systems, Deidra knew she too wanted to be part of changing the “opportunity divide.” Deidra was offered an opportunity to work with Year Up as an Office Assistant and was quickly promoted to Internship Coordinator. What’s next? Deidra plans to continue her education by pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in the field of Technology. Outside of work, Deidra is a mom of two loving children, and loves to share her observation of their growth with the team.

Erin Regan
Partner Relations Manager
Erin Regan joins year up with a professional background in technical staffing. Erin worked previously as an Account Manager/Business Development Manager for Aerotek, Inc, the largest privately held technical staffing firm in the United States. With Aerotek, Erin formed corporate partnerships to meet organizations temporary and full time technical staffing needs. She has experience working across numerous industries. Erin graduated from Boston College's Lynch School of Education, with a BS in Human Development and Sociology and a minor in Faith, Peace, and Justice. Erin's interest in examining our Nation's education system was sparked at an early age through the work of her families business, Data Networks, Inc., which is a technical service provider to Schools and Government agencies. After spending 10 years in Boston, she is an official converted Red Sox fan, who returns home to the Baltimore/DC area to join a mission that combines her technical staffing expertise with her passion for education and service.

Cherie Smith
Development Manager
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Cherie comes to Year Up with extensive nonprofit program experience. After graduating with a BA in Sociology from Millersville University, she joined City Year DC to pursue her love for giving back.  After four and a half years, she accepted a Program Director position at New Community for Children After School Program. While there, she oversaw the Teen program for middle and high school students, where she planned and implemented after school activities.  At Year Up, Cherie is responsible for maintaining relationships gained through partners, mentors, and guests as well as planning special events.

Ronda Thompson
Director of Program & Student Services
Ronda Harris Thompson is responsible for developing strategic enrollment partnerships for Year Up DC. Prior to joining Year Up, Ronda worked for City Year in Washington, DC, where she recruited the first two City Year DC corps and eventually oversaw the site's training, corps member support and service initiatives. Prior to City Year, she worked in the Public Affairs Office at DC Hoursing Authority, where she helped change the image of the agency and was a key broker in the agency's job internship program for one of DC's most notorious public housing scandals. Prior to DCHA, she worked as a Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Agency for International Development where one of her primary responsibilities was recruiting employees to become involved in the agency's Speaker's Bureau. Ronda, a DC native, graduated from Bowie State University, with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Trinity University with a Masters in Organizational Development.

Oumar Toure
IT Instructor

Margaret Walkup
Vista Alumni Associate
Margaret graduated from Wellesley College with a B.A. in Spanish and Education Studies and is a member of Delta Sigma Pi, the National Spanish Honor Society. She has experience as the general manager of the on-campus student center and pub, Punch's Alley, where she handled day-to-day operations, managed a staff team, and increased foot traffic and revenue by implementing a solid plan with a focus on customer service. After graduating, she spent a year teaching kindergarten and first grade at schools in Boston and Watertown through grant-funded positions. A native of Washington, D.C. and a product of the Nashville public schools, Margaret hold a true passion for teaching and learning and wanted to teach older students. She comes to Year Up excited to work with our alumni and expand her own professional development. She enjoys improv and was once a member of the "Dead Serious Improvisational Troupe."

Camilla J Wells
Business Writing Instructor
Camilla comes to Year Up from the field of international education and undergraduate advising. She has taught English with the JET Program in Japan, served as a study abroad advisor at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and most recently, worked as the outreach manager for Boren Scholarships and Fellowships at the Institute for International Education in Washington, DC. She has also led discussion for the University Success Course at UCSB, which inspired her to pursue teaching and advising full time. Camilla graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's and master's degree in English literature.

Michael J. Williams, II
Recruitment  & Outreach Coordinator
Michael joins Year Up with an extensive background in national service. Before becoming a staff member at Year Up, Michael was a Recruitment Associate for City Year Washington, DC, where he also volunteered as an AmeriCorps Member. Since 2001, Michael has been involved in many community and volunteer organizations working with youth and young adults from all ages and backgrounds. Michael is also a personal trainer and has attributed his ability to connect with a variety of people to his experience in the fitness field. His unwavering dedication to helping youth and young adults reach their goals makes Michael a wonderful addition to the Year Up.

David Winder
Academic Director
With over 10 years in finance and a special talent for teaching, David is a natural fit with the Year Up team. His classroom experience includes teaching for a summer at a middle school in his hometown of Oakland, CA, and working as a student teacher of (subject) at Hampton University. In addition, he taught a training course for prospective co-op housing residents, for which he also created the accompanying course materials. David’s strong business background includes his work with non-profit agencies, investment firms and, most recently, his own property acquisition and management company. David earned his BA in Economics from Hampton University and an MBA from The American University. He is also an audiophile and avid record collector who loves sports and hates tomatoes.

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