April 10, 2023. In March, Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR) Community Service Committee launched its Nurture Future Talent initiative, a program introducing students at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, NJ to post-secondary career options in Real Estate and other industries. Over the month of March students were introduced to professional realtors, attorneys, lenders, home inspectors, lead paint inspectors, mortgage advisors, landscape contractors, and more. Over 300 students participated in the inaugural program that offered discussions regarding professional development and career opportunities open to them. Community Service Committee Chair, Gina Hernandez-Navarro said of the initiative, "Real Estate is such a diversified industry that our future talents need to know what opportunities are out there at an early age. Real Estate is not taught in high school, that's why we are here, to make a difference and nurture through our knowledge!"
Each Thursday in March, students were provided with a glimpse into the successful career paths of the varied panel as well as opportunities to start and grow their own businesses. The Nurture Future Talent initiative exposed participants to entrepreneurship and opportunities in real estate, among other industries, John Nicastro, program coordinator said, “By sharing personal experiences, day to day work life and paths that led us to our chosen fields we were able to connect with and expose seniors to professional opportunities they may not have considered or known about.” An important aspect of the GBR Community Service Committee is reach; therefore, program sessions were offered in English and Spanish. Students greeted speakers with interest and enthusiasm. Nurture Future Talent program coordinator, Kathleen Wicklund noted, “’It's not how SMART you are, It's HOW you are smart.’ Every person is a genius at something. Find what you are good at and do that for a living.”
The success of the Nurture Future Talent initiative at Dwight Morrow High School was contingent on the support of Bergen Family Center, Dwight Morrow High School administration and student participation, service professionals Keni Ashbi, Carlos Cebalos, Melissa Suarez, Abdias Daniel Ramos, and Steven A. Barcia, and the GBR Community Service Committee – Committee Chair, Gina Hernandez-Navarro; Coordinators, John Nicastro and Kathleen Wicklund; and volunteers Hilda Solari, Angelo Lefer, Nataly Mendez, Hilda Williams, and Mia Forsberg-Villon.
To get involved at Greater Bergen REALTORS, please visit our website: www.greaterbergenrealtors.com
About Greater Bergen Realtors®
Greater Bergen REALTORS® is a not-for-profit trade organization that serves more than 8,800 REALTORS® throughout Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties in New Jersey. We empower the success of those we serve by focusing on Connections, Advocacy, Resources, and Education. As the leading voice of real estate in Northern New Jersey, we advocate to protect private property and home-ownership rights.
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