Youth Challenge

Aloha,

The Hawaii National Guard has a program called Youth Challenge that supports youth in need of direction in life. Their mission is to provide opportunities to learn the life skills needed to be successful, responsible, Productive Citizens while earning their high school diploma.

The first time I met the youth from Youth Challenge was in October at Childrenand Youth Day Day at the State Capital. They were volunteering to help that day and were some of the hardest workers I saw.

There was a great Mahalo Luncheon recently to celebrate the end of this term. It was so much fun watching the youth perform and speak.

It's inspiring to see young people who are setting their lives back on the right course. Many of them will be receiving their GED, continuing in higher education, and/or joining the military in the future thanks to the guidance and help from the Youth Challenge Program.

Access Surf Hawaii

Aloha,

The final Access Surf event was held this month at White Plains Beach on Oahu on December 4th! We are so thrilled to know that there is an organization dedicated to helping the disabled community.

AccesSurf empowers people with disabilities by providing adaptive surfing instruction and therapeutic educational programs on water recreation and enriches lives by assisting families to access the beach and ocean in a barrier free environment.

This program is run completely by volunteers. Every first Saturday of the month they meet and enjoy a fun beach day with all the participants. Anyone with a desire to help the disabled and a love for the ocean can volunteer!

Janeé Fuselier is pictured here going into the ocean to surf tandem with an Access Surf Volunteer. She has Cerebral Palsy and walks with crutches, but this program makes it possible for her and many other like her to participate in water activities.

Music with a Message

Music with a Message is a program affiliated with the American Lung Association and their NOT (Not on Tobacco) campaign in our schools.

here are some photos of the most recent stop on tour at Pearl City High School.

Music with a Message organizes high school- college age young people to perform during a school assembly an represent a tobacco free message. As performers, they are role models and representatives of this needed message in our schools.

If you are interested in having Music with a Message come to your school, or if you know of someone who would be a perfect performer for this, please contact Ready for the Real World at info@readyforscholarships.com

Give Thanks!

Aloha,

It's officially the holiday season!

We are happy to share that many people kicked off the holiday season right through serving others! Hundreds of people from the central Oahu area gathered together for "Give Thanks" a volunteer opportunity at Iliahi Elementary School on Thanksgiving Morning at 4am!

They cooked, packed Thanksgiving lunches, did crafts, and put together food bags for the elderly and needy in their community all morning long! Later in the day many volunteers went door to door to pass out the food and gifts.

It was a wonderful time with cheerleaders from the high school, families with their children, teens with their friends, and many churches collaborating together to make a difference in their community!

Over 1,100 meals we given on Thanksgiving thanks to the volunteers that made it possible.

What can you do this holiday season to make a difference?

- Ready for the Real World

info@readyforscholarships.com

Volunteer Opportunity!

Here's a great volunteer opportunity to get involved with helping those in need.

This project was found on the Volunteer Hawaii website through Aloha United Way, one of Ready for the Real World's partners.

Check this out!

IHS (Institute for Human Services), Hawaii's largest shelter for men, women and families with children is entering the holidays with hope in our hearts.

During the holidays we offer a special opportunity for donors - we lovingly complete handwritten messages in beautiful cards - and mail the cards to the people our donors want to remember. A gift of a financial donation is made in the name of the card recipient.

We need volunteers with beautiful handwriting to come and write the special messages! People who are meticulous, patient and dependable are encouraged to join us as we have card writing sessions from November 8th - December 16th.

This is a wonderfully simple, yet meaningful way to really help IHS serve the people who come to us for emergency services.

Volunteers need to be age 15 or older. It can be an individual or group opportunity. Volunteers need to have excellent handwriting and good organizational skills. They need to be patient, flexible, good humored and take pride in their work!

The project is at the following address:

546 Ka`aahi St Honolulu, HI 96817

If you are interested, click here for more info and to get connected.

Election Day!

Election Day is a huge day in our nation! Such a big deal that you probably didn't even have school today.

It is a wonderful gift that we have as Americans to choose the men and women that will represent us for the next term.

If you are over 18 yrs old, I trust that you have already taken advantage of this opportunity and voted. If not, go now!

Ready for the Real World targets the youth of our nation, which are usually not of voting age. However, as youth, you have a chance to change things as well! Encourage your parents, family, and voting-age friends to vote! Become educated on the candidates and share that with your loves ones. You can still make a difference, even without voting!

P.R.I.D.E at Kailua Elementary School

Aloha,

At Kailua Elementary School, they are teaching their students P.R.I.D.E.

P= Positive Attitude

R= Respect & Responsibility

I= Integrity

D= Discipline

E= Excellence

When students achieve these things, they collect "Honu Bucks" that can be redeemed for rewards.

Pre-K- 2nd grade redeem their Honu Bucks at the Honu Store. 3rd- 6th grade can buy extra recess or redeem them for a chance to have lunch with a local celebrity role model.

Jalee Fuselier, Miss Hawaii 2010, was the first celebrity lunch guest to be invited to the school. They all ate lunch together in the library and asked her all sorts of questions like...

"Do you live in a mansion?"

"Why do you like to sing?"

"Is your crown plastic?"

"Is it hard work being Miss Hawaii?"

They were able to share about their own dreams and hear how she accomplished her dreams.

By rewarding these attributes, Kailua Elementary School encourages their students to be better citizens, have strong values, and even teaches them how to budget their honu bucks!

It is great to see a great program like this active in Kailua!

Race for the Cure

There is a wonderful opportunity to serve coming up!

The annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is happening on Sunday, October 15th at Kapiolani Park.

All ages are welcome! Bring your family, friends, and babies for a wonderful morning of fun!

Click here to register online!

Schedule for October 15, 2010 Race for the Cure

4:00 am	Volunteer Check-in
5:00 - 6:00 am	Race Day Registration
6:00 am	Welcome/aerobic warm up
7:00 am	START, 5k run/walk
7:15 am	START, One Mile fun walk
7:45 am	Entertainment, Expo, Awards Ceremony
8:15 am	Survivor Recognition and photo at Bandstand If you attend Race for the Cure or are doing any other great things in your community, we want to hear about it! Send photos with your name and a description of your project to info@readyforscholarships and we'll post it up!

Dream Academy- Fall 2010!

Ready for the Real World is thrilled to announce that Dream Academy Hawaii has begun it's 6th year at Haleiwa Elementary School!

Dream Academy is a reading and mentoring program for elementary school girls in grades 1st-3rd. There are High school volunteers who control each meeting and junior helpers from 4th-6th grade who learn to be leaders as they help their peers.

Dream Academy is a proven program that helps develop the social, academic, performance, and leadership skills of the young women it reaches.

Through reading books, playing interactive and educational games, and performing arts, these at-risk children learn the skills needed to be leaders among their peers.

If you are interested in becoming a reading mentor for young girls at Haleiwa Elementary School, please contact Ready for the Real World at info@readyforscholarships.com!

Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve.

United Nations Peace Day in Hawaii!

United Nation Peace Day in Hawaii was a wonderful event at the UH Manoa Campus!

Many people gathered to listen to speakers on Peace and a better future. We heard a message from Ban Ki Moon (Secretary General of the UN), Miles Okumura (recipient of the Distinguished Peacemaker award), and Paul Chappell (Author and Keynote Speaker).

There are many United Nations Campus Clubs across the state of Hawaii. This is a wonderful way to get involved and work for a better future!

Please contact us at info@readyforscholarships.com for more info on volunteer opportunities or to contact the UN in Hawaii.

Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen

One of the scholarships that are offered by Ready for the Real World is a cash scholarship for a teenage young lady who competes in the Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen pageant and represents the spirit of volunteerism.

Lena Merrill is our reigning Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen. She is a young woman that gives back to her community in a unique way as she bridges the gap between the hearing and the deaf community. Though Lena has what many see as a disability, she has turned it into her ability to change the lives around her.

Everyone Lena meets feels the Aloha Spirit and knows that she is an incredible young person. Every teen has the power to make a positive difference among their peers. Will you be one of those teens?

If you are a teenage girl between the ages of 13-18 and are interested in making a difference, you can check out the Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen Program for an opportunity of a lifetime!

You may also contact us at info@readyforscholarships.com.

Aloha United Way Kickball!

On August 14th, Aloha United Way held their annual Kickball tournament at Waipio Soccer Complex. It was a great turnout with companies and celebrities participating in the kickball tournament to raise funds for Aloha United Way and the many programs they support throughout our state.

Some of the companies were Pepsi, Enterprise, Nordic Construction PCL, and FedEx to name a few. Each team was paired with a celebrity, with personalities like Slick Vic, DJ Maleko from Hot 93.9, Crystal Akana from 98.5FM, and even Mrs Hawaii Porche DeBenito, and Miss Hawaii Jalee Fuselier. Emcees, Billy V and Dave Vinton from OC16 kept the program sunning smoothly throughout the event.

Nordic Construction PCL and Miss Hawaii, Jalee Fuselier

This sunny Saturday afternoon made for a very successful event. There was healthy competition amongst the teams, but they all united with one purpose, to help those in need in the State of Hawaii. What a great example of Companies and celebrities giving back as a model for the rest of us.

Aloha United Way has many great opportunities to serve in you community. You can visit our opportunities to serve section of www. readyforscholarships.com to find out more or contact us at info@readyforscholarships.com

Backpacks for Keiki!

July 25^th was a wonderful day with Passion in Action! This homeless outreach on the North Shore of Oahu provided backpacks filled with school supplies to hundreds of keiki who are starting the school year.

Thanks to many generous sponsors, Pastor Ron Valenciana, and Turtle Bay Resort, many children will be able to return to school with all the necessities.

Once-a-month-Church meets the last Sunday of every month to meet the physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental needs of many homeless and needy on Oahu. This event is at Haleiwa Beach Park and anyone is welcome to volunteer and help for as long as you are available. If you want to truly see the real needs of the “Real world”, this is a volunteer outreach to remember.

If you are interested in volunteering for this outreach or any others, please contact Jalee through Ready for the Real World at www.readyforscholarships.com.

Haleiwa Preschool

Haleiwa Baptist Preschool is a small school on the North Shore of Oahu that truly cares for the keiki of their community.

Janeé Fuselier is a local resident and daily volunteer at the preschool. She is devoted to helping these children develop and grow. As a volunteer, she helps the teachers with various activities around the classroom and playground. What is special about Janeé is that she has Cerebral Palsy and walks with crutches, She does not let this stop her from making a difference in the lives of these children each day.

Do you think you have no skill to contribute? Are you unsure of your talents and abilities to succeed? Volunteering only requires people who have a heart to help others. You will improve skills that you are already aware of and will discover talents you never knew you had.

If this is you, do not hesitate to contact Jalee Fuselier from Ready for the Real World Inc. by e-mailing info@readyforscholarships.com.

Today is the day to start making a difference. Please Check out our Opportunities to Serve section at www.readyforscholarships.com

Thank you Sponsors!

Ready for the Real World would not be able to impact so many lives if it weren't for our generous sponsors!

We were so pleased to celebrate the visit of our Gold sponsor, Dennis Wilson from Wilson Financial Services from California. It is also a great honor to have Ron Valenciano from North Shore News as a great sponsor.

If you are interested in sponsoring scholarships or grants to reward the volunteer efforts of young people, please contact Jalee Fuselier at info@readyforscholarships.com

Access Surf Hawaii

Do you love the water? surfing? having fun at the beach?

Access Surf Hawaii is a fun way to volunteer and empower people with disabilities at the beach.

Access Surf's Mission is to provide adaptive surfing instruction and alternative water recreation to enrich lives by assisting families to access the beach and ocean.

Janeé Fuselier, Jalee Fuselier's (President of Ready for the Real World) sister, attends the first Saturday of every month at White Plains beach. Janeé was born with Cerebral Palsy, but has always turned her disability into an ability. Thanks to Access Surf she cam now ride waves just like anyone else... and she's great at it!

If you would like to learn more about volunteering or participating in Access Surf, visit their website at www.accessurf.com or e-mail Jalee Fuselier at info@readyforscholarships.com

Community Service Award- Paoakalani Midro

Congratulations to Paoakalani Midro for being awarded the Jalee Kate Fuselier Community Service Award!

Her outstanding community involvement has given her this $500 scholarship 2 years in a row!

Paoakalani Midro recipient of the

Jalee Kate Fuselier Community Service Scholarship

in 2009 and 2010

Jalee Fuselier- Founder and Graduate!

Jalee Fuselier, Founder of Ready for the Real World Inc. recently graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with her Bachelor's degree in International Relations.

At a young age, Jalee has worked hard to make a difference in the lives of young people across Hawaii and the world.

No dream is too big to achieve. If Jalee can start a non-profit before graduating from college, you can do anything you set your mind to!

Want to find opportunities to make a difference? visit our website at http://www.readyforscholarships.com/index.html or e-mail us at info@readyforscholarships.com

Congratulations Graduates!

It's graduation season again! It's is a wonderful thing to celebrate as young people enter the next season in life.

Congratulations High School Graduates!

Congratulations College graduates!

Now that the school year is over, there are many opportunities to give back to your community this summer. For Opportunities to Serve visit our website at www.readyforscholarships.com or e-mail Jalee Fuselier at info@readyforscholarships.com

It's never too early...

It's never too early to get Ready for the Real World!

Want to find opportunities to serve this summer? check out our website at

www.readyforscholarships.com or e-mail Jalee Fuselier at info@readyforscholarships.com

Dream Academy Awards Ceremony

May 21, 2010 Dream Academy Celebrated the 5th Anniversary at the Haleiwa Elementary School Awards Celebration! As we close another school year, it is great to look back on this year and see the productive year we have enjoyed together.

Dream Academy meets once ever week at Haleiwa Elementary School. We have high school volunteers and elementary school helpers who mentor girls in grades 1-3. We read, perform talent, share stories, and enjoy some outside activities as well.

We are excited to plan next year's program. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or learning more about this volunteer opportunity, check out the Ready for the Real World Website at www.readyforscholarships.com or e-mail Jalee Fuselier at info@readyforscholarships.com

Dream Academy 5th year Anniversary!

Dream Academy Hawaii began in 2005 at Haleiwa Elementary School as a reading and mentoring program for at-risk girls in grades 1-3. The program recently celebrated it's 5th year anniversary with the current participants in a fun-filled beach day!

Some of the participants in Dream Academy Celebrating the 5th year Anniversary!

We are so thankful for the high school volunteers that help mentor each week!

Dream Academy is in Partnership with Ready for the Real World. This program creates leaders through giving young people the opportunity to volunteer and mentor elementary school girls. It also gives the participants the skills and leadership experience to be ready for the next step in life.

If you would like more information in how to become a participant or volunteer with Dream Academy, Please visit our Ready for the Real World's Website at www.readyforscholarships.com

or e-mail Jalee Fuselier at info@readyforscholarships.com

Visitor Industry Charity Walk!

On May 15th thousands of people met at the Ala Moana Beach Park to begin the Visitor Industry Charity Walk around Waikiki. Along the way, participants stopped by sponsored tents with snack and drinks and enjoyed a day while making a huge difference in Hawaii's non-profit community!

The CHARITY WALK is a statewide event sponsored by Hawai'i Hotel Association that occurs simultaneously on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai on the 3rd Saturday in May. Thousands of people participate state-wide and all the proceeds are distributed to over 200 of our local charities. Since its inception in 1978, over $21 million has been raised, helping hundreds of local charities throughout the State. With just a little help from everyone, we can make a difference together! Want to find opportunities to serve others and help some of these great non-profits? Visit Ready for the Real World @ www.readyforscholarships.com or contact Jalee Fuselier at info@readyforscholarships.com

Ready for the Real World Sponsor

Ready for the Real World is a Scholarship program rewarding individuals for community service.

This program is possible because of generous sponsors who have caught the vision to help young people to succeed! Ready for the Real World is proud to announce our Gold Sponsor, Dennis Wilson of Wilson Financial Group. His sponsorship of $3000 is greatly appreciated and has made a huge difference in the education of many.

Dennis and his wife live in California and adopted five of their seven children. He has written a book, started a church in California, and founded an orphanage in Niger, Africa. His impact in the empowerment of young people around the world has left a lasting impact.

If you would like donate or become a yearly member contact Jalee Fuselier info@readyforscholarships.com.

Ready for the Real World Recognizes Outstanding Volunteer

Lilinoe Keahi is a graduating senior from Pearl City High School. She participated in her first Children's Miracle Network on April 24, 2010 and worked hard to raise over $1,000 with the other volunteers. She desires to pursue a career in the medical field, which is why the Children's Miracle Network is so close to her heart. This is why just one fundraiser was not enough to suffice her volunteer spirit.

Lilinoe began a mission to create another fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network through getting her high school involved. She spoke with friends, teachers, and clubs to promote her fundraiser. Her determination and commitment to making a difference made it possible for other young people to get involved in serving others also.

On May 8, 2010, a group of enthusiastic high school students worked for 3 hours asking for donations from drivers, pedestrians, and all passers. With nets in hand, they raised over $700 for Children's Miracle Network.

This is an example of how one young person can truly make a difference. Thanks to the vision of one student, the empowerment of Ready for the Real World, and her dedication to a good cause, more lives can be touched at Kapiolani Medical Center.

We are so proud of all of Lilinoe's accomplishments. There is an urgent need for more young people like herself who care about their communities and desire to "be the change they want to see in the world."

It just takes one person to make many dreams come true.

If you are interested in creating a volunteer project like Lilinoe, or would even like ideas for new projects, please contact Jalee Fuselier through the contact page on www.readyforscholarships.com

Heart Gallery Hawaii Event

Heart Gallery Hawaii is a traveling photographic and audio exhibit created to find forever families for children in foster care. It is designed to increase the number of adoptive families for children needing homes in our community.

On May 2, 2010, Heart Gallery had a fun event at Dave & Busters to recognize the foster and adoptive families in Hawaii. It was a fun time full of entertainment from the youth and a guest performer from American Idol!

Recognizing the Sponsors

The smiles on the children's faces were priceless! It was a great time to appreciate the families that give so much to the youth of Hawaii who need homes.

Heart Gallery gives hope to many youth who dream of finding a forever family to be their own.

If you would like to find volunteer or sponsorship opportunities with Heart Gallery, please visit their website Here.

You can also visit our website and contact Ready for the Real World at www.readyforscholarships.com

Miss East Oahu, Tiffany Ibale

Miss North Shore, Jalee Fuselier

Miss Ko'olina, Caroline Chapman

Ready for the Real World helps Children's Miracle Network!

Thanks to another amazing team of high school volunteers, Ready for the Real World was able to raise $700.94 on May 8th for Children's Miracle Network!

Thank you to all the volunteers that made this possible!

Ready for the Real World empowers young people with the tools to make a difference in their communities.

It has been shown that service activities have a unique way of developing an individual’s leadership skills, sense of community, self-esteem, and other personal characteristics.

Do you want to volunteer or apply for scholarships rewarding community service?

check out our website at www.readyforscholarships.com

or contact Jalee Fuselier at info@readyforscholarships.com

Congratulations Graduates!

Congratulations to the new graduates! We wish you the best as you graduate in May of 2010!

Here are our winners of the Ready for the Real World Scholarships!

Keelan

Ready for the Real World Scholarship

Graduate of Kahuku High School

Attending University of Hawaii Manoa

Chloe Ready for the Real World Graduate of Kahuku High School Attending University of Southern California

Leslie Ready for Real World Scholarship Lelehua High School Attending Biola University

Galen Ready for the Real World Graduate of Waialua High School Attending University of Central Washington Do you want to apply for a Ready for the Real World Scholarship to further your education? E-mail Jalee Fuselier info@readyforscholarships.com

Honolulu Magazine- Ready for the Real World?

Check out this article!

Ready for the Real World?- Honolulu Magazine

This article shows that "based on test scores from the National Association of Education Progress, better known as the “nation’s report card,” Hawaii ranked one of the worst in the nation—47th out of 50."

More importantly, "Local executives who hire recent high school graduates are often frustrated at how many of them lack basic communication skills."

If we are going to see young people with skills for the "Real World" they need to have "Real World" experiences before they enter the work force.

Volunteer and serve others! You will help someone else, learn about yourself, develop skills for life, and become a leader.

Want help finding an opportunity to serve?

e-mail Jalee Fuselier at info@readyforscholarships.com

Ready for the Real World helps Passion in Action

Ready for the Real World has partnered with Once a Month Church: Passion in Action for the past 5 years!

On April 25, 2010 Passion in Action on the North Shore of Oahu celebrated it's 6-year Anniversary!

The last Sunday of every month, volunteers, churches, and families gather together at Haleiwa Beach Park to help those in need. Food, clothing, and other needed items are given to Hawaii's homeless and needy. They even give away refurbished cars!

Passion in Action also provides medical care and guidance for those looking for help in rehabilitation, a home, or a job.

The people leave with stomachs full, bags full of food and needed products, and hearts full of Blessings!

If you would like to visit or volunteer at the next Once-a-Month-Church,

please e-mail Jalee Fuselier info@readyforscholarships.com

You may also check out their website at www.onceamonthchurch.com