Nicole Zachary Testimonial
By Nicole Zachary, Graduate of the First Class of the Urban Youth Empowerment Program

In June of 2004, I graduated from high school and was looking for something constructive to do with my time. I was under employed as a movie theater attendant. I had a minimum wage service job with no benefits. I also had inconsistent schedules and my income was not enough to support myself. It was difficult to plan leisure time, because my schedule was unpredictable.

In January of 2005, I heard a radio advertisement about the Urban Youth Empowerment Program better known as "UYEP" program offered at the Urban League of Central Carolinas. I didn’t know much about the program, but I decided that I would apply to have a chance at a better life. After being accepted to the program, I had my work cut out for me for the next nine months.

The "UYEP" program consisted of preparatory classes for the career workforce. My classmates and I participated in business etiquette classes, workshops, classroom assessments, community service projects, life skills classes, and lastly internships. Some of the extra benefits the program had to offer were guest speakers, tutorial help, leadership workshops and career outlook counseling. The classes helped prepare me for employment with higher pay, benefits and a definite schedule.

My experience in the UYEP program is one that I value greatly. Often my age group is overlooked and labeled as a menace to society. We need more programs like the programs that are offered at the Urban League to train and prepare young people for the workforce and the world outside of high school.

Our life skills class, taught by Mr. Johnny Worthy, was the class that empowered me the most. The most valuable lesson I learned in life skills class is that in life you have to make your own chance. Some of the important topics discussed in this class were money management, time management, social skills, goal setting and self help skills to improve your social status. My classmates and I were a very diverse group, financially, socially and academically. This class helped to shape my business and social skills.

The life skills class set goal in life skills was to obtain the skills needed to win in life. One aspect I particularly enjoyed was our community service project assignments with faith based organizations. I feel that it was a great idea to have us assigned to volunteer within a faith based atmosphere.

The love, acceptance and guidance we received was a good foundation for teaching us to give and help those that are in need without expecting anything in return. The program also gave me the opportunity to share my faith with people my age.

For my internship, I was assigned to work at University Park Baptist Church under Valerie Williams in the marketing and communications department. Some of the things I assisted her in doing were organizing her office, helping prepare for fund raising events sponsored by many different organizations and provided my input on marketing advertisements to the public.

The "UYEP" program gave me the much needed motivation to keep on striving to reach my goal to attend a four year university. Most importantly, this program also helped me to obtain full time employment with Allstate Insurance Company as a Customer Insurance Representative.

In addition, the classroom assessments portion of the program really helped me to improve my lagging math skills. I noticed four level grade gains in my math skills.

Visualizing my long-term goal was one of the most important parts of the UYEP program to me. The life skills portion of the program helped me to visualize my long term goals. Mr. Worthy took the extra time to provide alternative options to reach my goals and to help me to envision my steps in achieving my goals and creating my survival plan. I learned a lot of lessons about life in the Urban League’s life skills class that really touched my heart forever.
I would like to share two quotes from the program that empowered me. "T.E.A.M. together each accomplish more, and "Go for your dreams you don't fail until you quit". On March 8th, 2005, with the help of Mr. Johnny Worthy I completed my personal mission statement: to grow spiritually and in faith, be creative, accumulate knowledge and enjoy financial security and good health.

The Urban League gave me the chance to experience memorable interaction within my age range, through a program that was tailored to equip me with better employment skills, while having meaningful interactions with instructors that truly cared.

The UYEP program gave me a new outlook on accomplishing my goals and has definitely changed my life for the better. Thank you, to the Urban League, and all those that help by supporting the programs and services the Urban League offers to the community.

Thank you.