Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Di Giacomo.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Melissa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I received my Bachelors of Arts with a concentration in Social Services from Dominican University in May 2017. I started working for Glencoe Junior High Project in August 2017. I have been working with the youth population since I was in high school, and I have grown to really love what I do. I am currently the Senior Program Director of Glencoe Junior High Project.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I did not know what I wanted to major in when I first started college. I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but Illinois has many standardized tests in order to be a teacher. I have never been a good test taker. I decided to major in Sociology with a concentration in Social Services. I thought about getting my MSW, or Master’s in Guidance Counseling, but I am not sure I want to quite yet. I applied for many jobs right out of college, and I was nervous that I was not going to find anything. It took a few months, but I am so happy that I found this job!
Please tell us about Glencoe Junior High Project.
The Glencoe Junior High Project (GJHP) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that provides opportunities for Glencoe middle school students to engage with the community for the purpose of fostering socially aware, civic-minded and community-oriented individuals. The GJHP offers a continuum of programs and activities:
OASIS• Located in Glencoe’s Central School for more than 40 years, the Oasis Youth Center serves as a meeting place for students, grades 5 th-8th, to drop in during their lunch-recess period. The Oasis provides an opportunity for Central School students to play air hockey, pool, ping pong, foosball and/or basketball, create art projects or just relax and watch a movie for the purpose of building relationships that promote civic-minded, community-oriented individuals.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT• The GJHP Civic Engagement Program offers Glencoe middle school students the opportunity to engage with local community members and their organizations for the purposes of building social awareness and civic mindedness. Organizations include Uptown Café, New Trier Food Pantry, CJE Senior Life, C2C Giving Factory, Glencoe Community Garden, Bernie’s Book Bank, Book Buddies, A Just Harvest, and Project Linus.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS• GJHP plans and sponsors a variety of social events for Glencoe middle school students and their families including dances, parties and events to promote community and civic engagement. Back to School BBQ, Harvest Fest, 8th Grade Conversations, Broomball, Halloween Hoopla, 6th Grade Dance, Beach Bash, Ping Pong Tournaments, Movie Night, Bake Days and other after school events and activities.
PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM• The GJHP Performing Arts Program supports several theatrical productions a year for the purposes of building community through the arts. The GJHP no-cut theatrical productions are performed not only for the local school and village community, but also extended to various schools, organizations and neighboring communities. The continuum of programing includes: GJHP 2016-2017 Play, ALL SHOOK UP THE MUSICAL (6th-8th), The 2017 Variety Show (5th -8th), Comedy Workshop, 8th Grade Theatre Workshop.
Glencoe Junior High Project is run by a volunteer board and our two full-time Youth Directors. GJHP programs and staff are funded solely by community donations, charitable grants and net revenue generated by our middle school play.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have not stressed so much about having everything figured out right away. Your early 20’s are a time for exploration, and mistakes. I wish I would have known that sooner.
Contact Info:
- Address: 620 Greenwood Ave Glencoe, IL 60022
- Website: WWW.GJHP.ORG
- Phone: 8478357623
- Email: CONTACT@GJHP.ORG
- Instagram: @GLENCOEJHP
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gjhp60022/
Image Credit:
Google images
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