Moments that Matter: The Power of Shared Celebration

Celebrating milestones is an integral and beloved part of our culture. From birthday bashes to wedding receptions, anniversaries and graduations, we mark these significant moments in our lives not just because we love a good party, but because we recognize the work that goes into reaching these milestones and want to celebrate our own achievements and those of the people we care about.

Every day at CWEE, we are privileged to see first-hand the hard work our participants are putting in to make their goals and dreams reality. Many participants have experienced significant challenges throughout their lives, making their triumphs feel especially meaningful. Many are also single parents or without strong support networks, with few people in their lives to recognize and celebrate their achievements. That’s why our program includes multiple opportunities for participants to honor their own progress and uplift one another along the way.

Joelle Milholm, one of CWEE’s Career Development Facilitators, is passionate about celebrating and affirming our participants for their commitment to their goals. As participants finish CWEE’s four-week Career Readiness cohort program, which includes one week of social-emotional learning, Joelle sees the perfect opportunity for this affirmation and celebration.

“I give a packet to everyone in the Career Readiness cohort the day before our final class. On the last day, we work on reflections. Using the packet, we encourage each participant to share something. It can be reading an “I Am” poem, sharing their cover letter they wrote during the program, reading a few of the fill-in-the-blank affirmations, sharing remarks about something they are proud, shouting out a CWEE staff member that’s been particularly impactful, and more.”

On the final day of the Career Readiness program, a celebration lunch is hosted in CWEE’s lobby with all participants and staff encouraged to attend. Participants share their reflections from the program and celebrate their many accomplishments.

“We usually don’t finish the day without tears as there are some very positive feelings of confidence and encouragement that some of our participants haven’t experienced before. Participants are often overcome with gratitude, and they’re proud of themselves for overcoming their traumas and bad days to finish the program. It’s a moving experience where the participants get to be the front and center of everyone’s attention and really celebrate their successes.”

Below are just some of the inspiring words that a few participants shared during last month’s celebration lunch:

 

“I want to thank my program advisor. She’s the greatest person in my life right now. I don’t really have a village right now – CWEE is my village.”

 

“I’m proud of myself for completing this program. I didn’t finish school, so I’m proud I committed to this. I now have a resume and a cover letter and I’m confident I can get a job.”

 

“I feel like I often put my emotions aside and I’ve learned how to not just put them aside but work through them. These are skills I’ll use for the rest of my life.”

 

After the celebrations have been shared, everyone enjoys one of the best parts of any party: the food! Last month’s celebration was particularly special, as it was catered by a CWEE participant! Guests were treated to a wonderful Mediterranean meal complete with homemade hummus, falafel, rice and other delicious items. After working hard with her program advisors and CWEE’s Digital Navigators, this participant completed CWEE’s Digital Skills class in May of 2024 and has since earned all the necessary certificates and licenses to open her own catering business! CWEE was so proud to be one of her first clients, and it was a beautiful, full-circle moment to celebrate this special success.

As Joelle mentioned, one of the options in the reflection packet is to write an “I Am” poem. This poem style encourages self-expression, self-discovery, and reflection. It allows the writer to explore their emotions, identity, and perspective on the world. “I Am” poems can help participants understand where they’ve been and where they want to go next. We’ll leave you with a powerful “I Am” poem from CWEE participant Sharnae. It is a powerful testament to where she’s been, who she is becoming, and the amazing heights she will reach.

 

I AM Sharnae. 

I AM from the square, home of the Rocky Mountains. 

I AM from a day filled with hot, cold, rain and snow. The unpredictable 5280. 

I was the (303) respite care, the (719) group homes, the (720) juvenile centers, and the (970) jails and prison. 

I AM now www.LLC.com. My business. 

I came from the battlefield. 

I won the war. 

I am woman hear me roar. 

 

With the help of my enemies, frenemies, the wolves in sheep clothing, molded me. 

 

I AM resilience. 

I AM Humility. 

 

When I rise, and look in the mirror. I say with pride: 

I AM a super mom. 

I AM independence. 

I AM guidance. 

 

My future are my children. 

Generation Z Saniyah, and generation Alpha Jeremiah, Jireh, Noah, and Elijah. 

I AM Generation Y. 

 

My future has a voice for the people. 

I AM a testimony. 

I AM a woman of many talents. My mom would say. 

My future is cosmetology, a graduate, a comedian, an advocate, a writer, and a reformer. 

I AM light in the midst of any darkness. 

Hopeless no more, not in any season. 

For my roots, my branches, and my leaves strengthen me everyday. 

 

I AM faith. 

I AM from everywhere, and now I’m here. 

Believe me when I say. 

I ain’t going nowhere. 

I AM Sharnae.