Suntrust, now Truist, team members have become regulars at YELLS this year! They’ve proven how valuable community is to their team, making corporate engagement a priority. We’ve already welcomed three groups in 2020 alone! Each time they visit, they bring a large group of eager volunteers, and they have developed into such an incredible partner. It’s been a win-win as their engagement provides an opportunity for BB&T and Suntrust employees to come together as a new Truist team while making a meaningful difference for our youth.
Speed Networking with the Community Action Cafe
Networking can be scary for anyone, but the volunteers from Truist have provided authentic opportunities for our teens to overcome the butterflies and experience the power of relationship-building. During each round of our “Speed Networking” session, students grew more comfortable, and by the end, it was hard to stop the conversations from flowing! Each time that Truist has come to visit, our students get more comfortable, are excited about making new connections, and grow in their leadership and professional skills.
While our youth developed their professionalism and networking skills, the experience was just as meaningful for our guests from Truist. Volunteers shared how much the experience moved them:
Thank you for all that you, your team, and your organization do for the youth who enter the doors of YELLS. I was truly blown away by one of your students who stated the most important life skill YELLS has taught him was the ability to forgive. I was not expecting such an answer but you and your teammates have unquestionably made a difference in this young scholar’s life.
It was such a great day for us. All day today I got feedback from my team on how full their hearts were with that experience, and how motivated my teammates are by the students. For me personally, it was a moving experience to see the students with their ambition and their dreams. I’ve told so many people about it!
I was truly moved by the young men that I personally spoke with and honestly overwhelmed by emotion I wasn’t expecting.
That was such an amazing experience and I walked away just in awe of the students that I was able to speak with.
Transforming Our Space
As if the impact they had on our teens wasn’t enough, volunteers also transformed our space! They rolled up their sleeves and got to work building tables for our homework room, cleaning our kitchen, and writing inspirational messages for our elementary students. We’re so enriched by the mark Truist has left with us at YELLS!
Thank you, Truist, for helping our students learn and grow!
We are always looking for groups that are interested in Speed Networking with our teens – Please contact Laura@YELLSinc.org for more info on how to get involved!
