Welcome to the second week of April!
April is the month of the growing season, when trees and flowers begin to “open”. So that means April is the month of GROWTH!
April is a hopeful month which promises good and beautiful things in the future.
There are a lot of holiday celebrations in the month of April and this week is dedicated to National Student Employment Week and National Volunteer Week.
National Student Employment Week sheds light on how student employment offers students career-enhancing opportunities, the ability to develop skills relevant in any career, better preparation for the job market upon graduation, and a way to help pay for their education. Many students can earn a significant portion of their college expenses, thus avoiding the debt burden so familiar with college graduates today.
The reason this week is special to TARC is because of the vocational collaboration we are part of that provides Self-Advocacy and Self Determination Training for high school students and staff as part of Goodwill’s Transition Work Adjustment Program. Our overall goal is to help students be actively involved in their decision-making process regarding education, vocation and advocacy services available to them once they graduate high school and enter college.
How to Observe
Organizations that employ college or high school students are encouraged to mark the week with ice cream socials, billboards, or special meals to show their appreciation.
You can also use #StudentEmploymentWeek or #NSEA on social media to show your admiration of student employees!
National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to thank the thousands of volunteers across the country who keep many organizations running, communities safe and provide the services that otherwise would not exist without volunteers. It’s also a time to consider volunteering or providing support to those organizations vital to your community.
We cannot wait to shine a light on all of our amazing volunteers this week as we thank them for their hard work.
How to Observe
Click here or call us at 918.582.TARC (8272) to see how you can be a TARC volunteer.
Visit www.pointsoflight.org to find out more about National Volunteer Week and find out how you can make a difference. Use #NationalVolunteerWeek to share on social media.
April National Day Observations:
Tuesday, April 9th is dedicated to a very fun and entertaining activity — National Name Yourself Day.
National Name Yourself Day
To celebrate this fun national day, you are allowed to give yourself a new name for one day only.
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to have a different name, this would be the day to find out. If you like your name and do not want to play along, you can try a nickname instead. The nickname might just stick with you.
How to Observe
Create a new name for yourself and use #NationalNameYourselfDay to post on social media.
This is such a fun way to change up your day and add a little fun to your normal routine.
Wednesday, April 10th is dedicated to a great holiday for some — National Siblings Day.
National Siblings Day
National Siblings Day is a day created to honor our brothers and sisters.
Siblings. Sometimes they are our best friends and sometimes our worst enemies. At times, siblings will provide us with our biggest competition, strongest encouragement and remind us of our most embarrassing moments.
For individuals with disabilities, their siblings can be their biggest source of comfort and strength. We would love for you to share stories about you and your siblings with us.
How to Observe
To celebrate this fun national day, post about your sibling on social media with the tag #NationalSiblingsDay. You can use this as the perfect opportunity to embarrass them for all they have done to you in the past, or to thank them for always being by your side when you need them.
Friday, April 12th is dedicated to a very important awareness campaign, National Day of Silence.
National Day of Silence
National Day of Silence was formed as a student-led movement to protest bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and those who support them. The Day of Silence illustrates to the schools and the colleges how the intimidation, name calling and general bullying has a silencing effect. Participating students take a day-long vow of silence.
TARC wants to spread awareness of this day of silence in respect for anyone who has been bullied and felt intimidation from others because they are different. Being different doesn’t make you unimportant, it makes you special with unique gifts and talents. It would be boring to be just like everybody else.
How to Observe
Show your support for National Day of Silence by using #NationalDayofSilence on Social Media to bring awareness to this special day. Tell the world why you are choosing to be silent — for those who have had their voice taken away as a result of bullying.
Take a look at National Day Calendars website to learn about more fun or important days that you can participate in!