This guest blog was written by Wendy Dixon-DuBois and Stephanie Amponsah of the Urban Alliance.
After participating in a ScopeAthon event with Taproot and Capital One during Pro Bono Week 2014, it became apparent how beneficial pro bono service can be. Yes, sometimes we walk away with a new and innovative product or process. Other times it’s the energy and motivation we gain, the reassurance that we are doing great work and we are capable of accomplishing even more.
The mission of Urban Alliance is to empower under-resourced youth to aspire, work, and succeed through paid internships, formal training, and mentoring. There is an apparent congruence between our mission and the Taproot tagline. As a nonprofit, we are empowered through pro bono services by building capacity and tapping into the capacity and skill sets of new stakeholders and existing staff.
We have the great fortune of being a nonprofit that works closely with the private sector to fulfill our mission. While the day to day connection is the paid work experience that the corporation provides to the youth in our program, a lot of what makes us successful happens behind the scenes. Our staff alongside consultants and business professionals, devote dozens of hours to ensure the success of our youth and maintain a quality program. They push us to think more critically about how we provide the services we do and what business practices will ensure long-term sustainability.
Participating in the ScopeAthon event with Taproot and Capital One offered an incredible value to our organization, providing us with the tools and resources we need to serve our youth. We are thrilled to partner with Taproot Foundation as we employ youth, inspire excellence and prepare the next generation’s workforce.
