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UCAN 1st Annual Golf Tournament
Golfers be alert, UCAN is on the course!
MEMPHIS, TN, September 22, 2007:
UCAN had its 1st Annual Golf Tournament September 22 sponsored by Memphis Area Teachers Credit Union at the beautiful Links at Whitehaven. Golfers from Whitehaven, East Memphis and surrounding areas joined UCAN as they swung many golf clubs across the course. Many balls were lost in the water and more in the trees. As Keith Anderson, one of the golfers, jokily said, "You Can stop hitting the balls in the water and stay on course." Other sponsors and volunteers included Don Don's Hot Wings, Golf Discount, State Farm, PamperMe, Panda Models and Talent, Harrah's, Trophies Screen Print and Gordon Elementary.
The Golf Tournament was a fundraiser to raise money for students at Gordon Elementary to purchase uniforms, school supplies and prepare for their after school program. With the donation from Memphis Area Teachers Credit Union and golfers, UCAN raised over $600 to support the cause. "This was a fun event and I can't wait until next year when we do it again!", said Leshundra Finley, founder and President of UCAN Youth Development Organization. The winners were: Longest Drive-Carey Anderson, Closest to Pin-Carey Anderson, Putting Contest-Marvell Mitchell and the overall winner for the golf tournament was Carey Anderson.
UCAN is a non-profit organization that stands for You Can Achieve Now. Their mission is to strengthen young adolescents through mentoring, personal development, and education which will bring forth a positive impact in the community through their growth and awareness. Their area of focus is North Memphis and will open a new center in Hickory Hill. You may view their website at www.ucanofmemphis.org for additional information. Their next event is a Fall Festival at Dave Wells Community Center on October 31. This event is open to the public. They are looking for volunteers and sponsors.
Hair and Fashion Show
Walking the Runway for At-Risk Youth in North Memphis
MEMPHIS, TN, April 22, 2007:
Strutting down the runway as the next top models took it to the next level for our future leaders was UCAN's mission Sunday, April 22 at their Annual Hair and Fashion Show. The event was held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel Downtown. The event was to benefit at-risk youth within the North Memphis community. "The hair and fashion show was awesome and unique", said Patra Jones of Atlanta. Patra heard about the event through one of her colleagues in Memphis. She wanted to check out the stylish clothing designers and unique hair styles to see what she could take back to Atlanta. The designers were Mara's Styles, JoVen Tosh and Custom Shirt King from Memphis, TN. Mara's chic and sophisticated styles, JoVen Tosh vintage bold ties and custom made jackets and Custom Shirt King hand made one-of-a kind shirts and dresses displaying Memphis was just a few of the stylish clothes the 30 models from Panda Models & Talent were wearing. To top it off hair stylists from New Era, Mona Lisa's All-In-One, Salon Effeks, and Rone's Hair Gallery were gracious enough to sponsor the models funky and unique hair styles. From mohawks to spikes the hair show definitely turned heads. Guest appearances were designer James Davis of L.R. Clothier and Channel 13.
UCAN host their Annual Hair and Fashion show each year to benefit a unique cause. This year funds raised from this event will be able to help some youths attend cultural events, summer camps and more. They are still looking for more funding to help more youth within the lower income community of North Memphis. If you would like to become a sponsor to benefit our future leaders, please contact Leshundra Finley at (901) 482-0317 or view the website at www.ucanofmemphis.org to see how they are helping the community and how you can become involve. UCAN's mission is to strengthen our young adolescents through mentoring, personal development and education which will bring forth a positive impact on the community through their growth and awareness. The website is www.ucanofmemphis.org.
Career Fair
An Education is the Key to the Future
MEMPHIS, TN, April 13, 2007:
"Every Child, Every Day, College Bound" is Memphis City Schools motto. UCAN also believes in this motto. This is why they hosted their Annual College Fair presented by Memphis College Consortium Friday, April 13 at Panda Models & Talent located in the Hickory Ridge Mall. "Every child needs to know their opportunities on where to attend college. They may not want to attend a traditional 2 or 4 year college. They may want to attend hair or barber school or even the army. We want to give our youth knowledge on what schools are available to attend for what ever career they would like to succeed in" said president and founder Leshundra Finley of UCAN. Some of the schools that attended were Christian Brothers, Crichton College, University of Memphis ROTC, Union University, ITT Technical Institute and many more. The college fair was held at the Hickory Ridge Mall at Panda Models & Talent Academy. There were over 100 participants that received free pens, scholarship and loan information from Memphis Area Teachers Credit Union and Beneficial. Wal-Mart on Winchester also donated tables for the vendors.
Career Fair
Seeking Top Applicants from Career Fair
MEMPHIS, TN, March, 2007:
Having proper training from interviewing skills, resume building and appropriate attire is extremely important when applying for a position. UCAN knows just how important that is. That is why they hosted their annual Career Fair. The career fair is a 2 day event. The 1st day is designed to help individuals build their resume and cover letter, discuss appropriate ways to dress for the job you want, etiquettes and interviewing skills. This event is important to employers because so many individuals are still unaware on how to dress or prepare for an interview. We provide them with the skills and for the first time, we actually did their resume and cover letter on the spot as well as a mock interview. "This really helped me understand what employers were looking for in a candidate. I was so gracious that they help me do my resume and cover letter. Many people missed out" said Kay, one of the participants.
The career fair was outstanding. Many companies are requiring you to apply on-line for their positions. UCAN had those employers such as ManAlive, Northwest Airlines, Kelly Services, Robert Half, Sedgwicks and many more websites so applicants can go on-line and immediately apply for the open positions they told UCAN was available. UCAN also had sample applications to help the high school students know how to fill out applications. With the applications, UCAN sent them to the appropriate employers that requested those applications. "It was a blessing! I have never been to a career fair where they help you out this much", said one participant. Other companies that participated was Fed Ex, Truleco, Spa Escape, Department of Human Services, LeBonheur, HealthWorks, McDonalds, Wendy's, Back Yard Burgers and Bridges. The sponsors included Hallelujah 95.7 FM, Benjamin Hooks Library, and WMC-TV 5. UCAN host a Career Fair twice a year.
Black History Production
Taking Black History to the Streets of North Memphis
MEMPHIS, TN, February 24, 2007:
"Only the strong will survive" was the theme for the Black History program February 24, 2007 at Dave Wells Community Center located on 915 Chelsea. The program was presented by UCAN Youth Development Organization and Ms. Grant from Dave Wells Community Center. The name of the play was "A Voice from the Past, For the Future", written by Pamela S. Smith. The characters were a Narrator, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglas, Booker T. Washington, Rosa Parks, Mary Luther King Jr., Mary Mcleod Bethune, and Mary C. Terrell.
This was not a traditional theater production. The members of UCAN and Daves Wells placed a lot of effort to help the children ranging in age of 5-18 remember their lines, make costumes, and props but also understand what their past leaders did to help benefit them for their future. Studies show if a child has the opportunity to reenact an event or get in character of another person, they will recall what they read and understand the purpose of the studies. They each had fun and can't wait to do it again!
Valentine Planning - Couture and Cocktails
RIPPING THE RUNWAY WITH LOCAL FASHION MODELS GIVES HOPE HOUSE DAYCARE AND UCAN ANOTHER CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
MEMPHIS, TN, February 18, 2007:
Couture & Cocktails, a Red and White Fashion Extravaganza was the theme for Sunday night, February 11 at Panda Models & Talent in the Hickory Ridge Mall near Macy's. UCAN, a youth development program, set out to change a life. They sponsored a benefit fashion show for Hope House Daycare. Hope House Daycare is the only daycare in the state of Tennessee that house kids who are HIV positive.
In attendance was Panda Models & Talent models and founder K.Y., local R&B group Uniq who sang to the ladies and gave away red roses and guests from all around Memphis. "This is an annual event we do for Hope House Daycare. We chose Hope House because I have a passion for kids. Hope House has been giving to children and they need continuous support," said Founder and President Leshundra Finley. The fashion show extravaganza was sponsored by Lowe's on Winchester, Texas Roadhouse in Bartlett, Logan's on Winchester, HerShe, Situation, Rainbow, Alan Jones, Jackie Cage and the Hickory Ridge Mall. Proceeds from fashion show will benefit Hope House Daycare and UCAN.
Health Fair
OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY TAKING OVER OUR COMMUNITY; LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WANTS TO HELP MEND THE PROBLEM
MEMPHIS, TN, DECEMBER 29, 2006:
UCAN Youth Development will be hosting an Obesity Awareness Health
Fair January 13, 2007 from 10-3pm at Panda Models & Talent in the
Hickory Ridge Mall. During the past 20 years, obesity among adults
and children has risen significantly in the United States. The latest
data from the National Center for Health Statistics show that 30
percent of U.S. adults 20 years of age and older-over 60 million
people-are obese. With this increasing rate we may not have or see
our future congressman, president, teacher or love ones. UCAN Youth
Development wants to stop the weight and help our future achieve
and maintain a healthy balance life.
UCAN's annual Health Fair is sponsored by
Health Works. The Health Fair will be held at Panda Models & Talent
in the Hickory Ridge Mall near Macy's. This health fair will feature
eye exams, spinal exams, information on Medicare, health insurance,
and life insurance, high blood pressure screening, cholesterol screening,
massages to help relieve any stress that may cause weight gain,
and much more. "We wanted to do this health fair at the beginning
of the year because so many people make New Year's Resolution to
loose weight and exercise more. We want them to be educated on how
they can maintain that goal throughout the year plus maintain a
healthy body and soul" said Leshundra Finley, Founder of UCAN.
This will be a great event for Memphis. All
organizations for health awareness from your eyes to your feet will
be at the health fair. It's an event that NO ONE would like to miss!
For more information, contact Leshundra Finley
at (901) 482-0317 or Loris-Michelle Chism at (901) 503-0045 or by
email at ucan@ucanofmemphis.org. View the website to see additional
events UCAN will be doing in 2007.
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