Supporting National Office of Job Corps

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is thrilled to have successfully supported the work of the Department of Labor’s National Office of Job Corps (NOJC). Through a set of strategic initiatives, Bizzell provided support to Job Corps by identifying and implementing web-based tools to support students’ academic growth beginning in the pre-enrollment phase and continuing while on-center.

Job Corps is the largest and most comprehensive residential education and job training program for at-risk youth, with vocational offerings in over 100 different trades in 11 major industries. The goal is to provide students with an opportunity to gain the experience and knowledge they need to begin a career or advance to higher education.

Bizzell assisted with Job Corps’ objectives by introducing new tools to be used in assessing the academic capabilities of students first entering the program, and ensuring that each student is set on a career path that is tailored to his or her knowledge and specific needs. In all aspects of the project, Bizzell worked in close coordination with NOJC, as well as other National Office support contractors, to reach project objectives and manage outcomes.

“The Bizzell team’s dedication and commitment to the success of the project was exhibited in the attention to detail and continual forward-thinking to not only get to implementation as required, but also to get to the ‘value add.'” -Curtis Massey, Workforce Development Specialist, Department of Labor.

Bizzell Provides Sponsorship Support for Annual Fortune Foundation Scholarship Fundraiser

The Fortune Foundation is hosting its first annual Fortune Foundation Scholarship Fundraiser on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at The Society Lounge in Silver Spring, MD from 3 pm – 7 pm.   The event boasts a guest list of more than 250 attendees who will experience an afternoon of food, live music, guest speakers, raffles and much more.  The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is one of the many sponsors for this charitable event.

The Fortune Foundation – established in 2013 – is a nonprofit organization with a mission to enrich the lives of minority youth by offering educational scholarships, leadership development, mentoring and tutoring, and college preparation to high school students living in South Florida and the Metropolitan D.C. areas.  The goal is to equip the participating youth in these areas with the resources to become next-generation leaders and positively impact their surrounding communities and society as a whole.

The event is being held to support the Fortune Leadership and Academic Excellence Scholarship – awarded each year to three graduating minority high school seniors who excel academically and exemplify outstanding leadership.  Donations and contributions to the organization will also allow the organization to offer minority students a range of enrichment opportunities, such as college fairs and field trips.

The Fortune Foundation focuses primarily on the areas of academic excellence, leadership, mentorship and college readiness.  “Bizzell believes in giving back to our community, particularly our youth, who will be tomorrow’s leaders,” Bizzell CEO, Dr. Anton Bizzell, said in a statement.  “When presented with this opportunity, we jumped at the chance to offer support as a sponsor.”

To learn more about the Fortune Foundation, visit: http://www.fortune-foundation.com.

Bizzell Supports HBCU Campus Dialogue on Prescription Drugs

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) supports The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) with its recruitment of students, staff, and faculty from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for an open dialogue on prescription drugs. The event LET’S TALK ABOUT IT: Prescription Drug Use and Its Side Effects is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The groups will discuss current campus trends, explore beliefs about substance abuse and addiction, and discover on- and off-campus prevention, treatment and recovery services.  There will be two sessions – one for faculty and staff on Friday, March 28th and one for students on Saturday, March 29th.

Research suggests that there are varied motivations for prescription drug abuse among teens and college-aged students, including getting high, coping with pain or sleep problems and in some instances improving or enhancing cognition.  These behaviors are risky as medications prescribed by doctors are assumed to be safe, however abuse of these drugs can have harmful health effects, including overdose.  This discussion seeks to open a dialogue among students and health professionals to combat myths and generalizations about prescription drug misuse.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to RSVP by March 21, 2014 for the event on March 28th from 10 am – 3 pm.  Students should RSVP by March 25, 2014 for the event on March 29th from 11 am – 4 pm. Interested participants should RSVP by calling 202.806.7706 or emailing dm_barnes@howard.edu.

Both sessions will take place at The Gallery Lounge in the Blackburn Center at Howard University, 2400 Sixth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20059. Participants are advised that this counts as a community service activity and resume-builder.  Limited seating is available. Lunch and parking will be provided.

To learn more about the issue, visit: Taking Action to Prevent & Address Prescription Drug Abuse:  A Resource Kit for America’s College Campuses and www.recoveryopensdoors.org