Youth Leadership for Social Change
A quarterly newsletter brought to you by Changing Destinations Journey To Excellence, Inc.
Changing Destinations Partnership with Howard County Public School System
Changing Destinations: Journey to Excellence has partnered with the Howard County Public School System to provide students with opportunities to learn about cultures from around the world. The partnership was formalized with an official partnership signing on Wednesday, August 8 at the Sheraton Columbia Waterside Restaurant in Columbia, Maryland.

HCPSS Director of Community Outreach and Engagement Diane Martin and Black Student Achievement Program Specialist Sheree Whitby joined Changing Destinations Founder Rose Varner-Gaskins, Board Members Annika Adams and Edward Prater, President Sasha Butler and Deputy Chief of Mission for the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda Ambassador Santa Laker Kinyera to sign the formal partnership agreement at the August 8 event.
Welcome New Board Member - Ed Prater
Ed Prater is a professionally trained coach, with a strong background in sales, engineering, marketing, leadership development and emotional intelligence. As CEO of Significance Services, Ed approaches his clients with the goal of successfully helping them find what they are truly passionate about, and helping them create lives, businesses and careers they love. He has twenty-five years experience providing services as a coach, facilitator, leadership trainer. Ed's corporate background includes thirty-five years in the telecommunications industry serving in executive leadership roles nationally and internationally. he served as Director of product development at Newbridge Networks and Business Executive at AT&T Government Solutions. He also worked in higher education as an adjunct professor for college level mathematics at Clark Atlanta University and workforce development at University of District of Columbia. His professional training includes Professional Co-Active Coach, Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and John Maxwell Certified Coach, Speaker, Trainer. He is actively involved with community organizations (AWANA, Big Brothers, Teen Life) focused on enabling youth to lead better, more fulfilling lives. Ed has served on several Boards including American Council of Technology/Industry Advisory Council and Solutions of Enterprises Worldwide, Inc. Ed earned his Bachelor of Science from Clark Atlanta University. He enjoys golf, photography basketball, and tutoring mathematics.
 Book Scholarship Award
Tekye Evans Jr. is a graduating senior at Hammond High School. He is a scholar athlete participating in football, basketball and track. He is the proud recipient of our 2018 Book Scholarship Award presented Monday, May 21, 2018 at Hammond High School's annual Senior Awards Ceremony.

Tekye will be attending Salisbury State University in the fall and will also be hitting the field as part of the college's football team. Tekye not only received a $500.00 scholarship to aid in his college expenses from Changing Destinations, but he also received thousands in scholarship money from various institutions.

Tekye is a scholar athlete whose commitment to his education and his community, project a young man with a strong sense of self. Tekye explains that he “understands the importance of equipping himself for success”. His community efforts stem from his desire to give back and be a ray of light for all. We wish Tekye the best in his future endeavors and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for him. Congratulations, Tekye and family! FIND OUT MORE
SAVE THE DATE! 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony & Fundraiser
Changing Destinations will hold our next annual fundraiser on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Carroll Baldwin Hall, Savage, MD (only a mile from Columbia). Our Keynote Speaker will be J.J. Green, WTOP Radio, National Security Correspondent and Honorary Board member of Changing Destinations. In addition, we will offer live music with an international flair. Mark your calendar and join us for this celebration.
Youth On the Move

Raa’el Kelley, CDJTE’s student intern, graduated from middle school and is moving on to high school. His most recent accomplishments include a video project for YELD which was presented at the YELD conference earlier this year. Serving as the voice of our youth, Raa’el is an integral part of the Changing Destinations team. He is currently working on a Teen Video Project that will be showcased on our website this winter. We are proud of Raa’el and extremely grateful for his continued contributions to the organization and to his peers.    
President, Sasha Butler celebrated Miles Jones' high school graduation with big brother Daniel in May. Miles is a Changing Destinations alum and a member of our inaugural summer leadership program in 2014. We are proud of his resilience and growth. Miles is an amazing leader who is learning every day the importance of leading self. We are confident he will make a difference in society.

Miles received a $5,000 scholarship to attend Lincoln Technical Institute. We join his family in being proud of him in this major life accomplishment and appreciate being just a small part of his success! Go Miles, go!
The mission of the Youth Engagement Leadership Development (YELD) Global Citizens Academy is to prepare youth locally and internationally to thrive as tomorrow's world leaders and global citizens, equipped to positively impact their communities and the world.
 
What Makes Us Unique?
We extend beyond traditional leadership training by preparing youth to lead with confidence in diverse communities. Youth are encouraged to consider their beliefs and actions through a sociocultural lens and challenges them to develop the skills and knowledge needed to become powerful global citizens.

Who Can Participate?
Schools, after-school programs, churches and other community-based organizations, providing services to youth.
DONATING HAS NEVER BEEN SO EASY

We are currently running a Facebook Fundraiser to help defray costs for the organization. We have raised over half of our $2,000 goal for this fundraiser. If you missed an opportunity to contribute, simply send a check to 8630 M Guilford Road, #174, Columbia, MD 21046 or you may contribute online through Pay-Pal or credit card. We’re always grateful for your support and the students we serve in the U.S. and Abroad are most grateful. Click the link below to Learn More! 

 
JOIN OUR TEAM!

We are currently looking to fill several vacant Board positions. We have openings for a Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. If you or someone you know would be interested and a good fit for any of these positions, please let us know. We need people who are committed, motivated, and ready to serve!
OUR THANKS
We truly appreciate all of our supporters and the many, many hours of service from our Board members, community volunteers and students we serve.
ABOUT
Changing Destinations: Journey To Excellence, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We believe all students have uncharted potential and it is our role to partner with students to help them chart their own course to success.
 
MISSION
The mission of Changing Destinations: Journey To Excellence, Inc. is to prepare youth locally and internationally to thrive as tomorrow's world leaders and global citizens, equipped to positively impact their communities and the world.

| 443-718-9003 | info@changingdestinationsjte.org  |