Testimonials
“I give exceptional rating to the ITSTIME staff. They show their interest in the children by their actions. Calling as reminders for the parents concerning the ITSTIME sessions, progamming, etc. However, my favorite was the Debate Contest. That session was superb. It hope that they will be able to do that again.”
“I am glad to say I’m a proud parent of a wonderful daughter of this Saturday morning group It’s Time.It has been a pleasure for her to look forward each Saturday of the season to get up and get out to a new and exciting fun-filled,educational,motivating,encouraging and so much more discribing words to this program. I will strongly encouraged DC teens to joined in only if they are very serious about this program, so they can experience and learn more and i know for sure each and every child/student will benefit from “It’s Time” just as much as my daughter is doing. Thanks to the great team especially to Ms. Zalenda and Mr. Keith, keep up the hard work,WAY TO GO.”
“My cousin had a great experince with It’s Time. She was very please in how they helped her before she went on to college. What I like about this It’s Time is because it is here to help people out. That is prety much what I do in my field. Because of the help that my cousin recieved towards her going to college, my son wil also benefit from It’s Time.”
“I’m a parent of a student in the IT’STIME program and a BIG supporter. I stand by what this program instills in today’s youth. The financial piece is a wonderful part to the program. Another huge plus is the public speaking component. The writing and reading of famous speeches and/or poems have boost my child’s confidence and allowed her grades in ELA (English Language Arts) to climb to an A. IT’S TIME also has a friendly atmosphere and encourages the youth to want to learn and do their best. Not to mention the great incentives they hand out to the youth during the sessions. Special thank you to Ms Zalenda and Mr. Keith Job well done!!”
Stakeholders
“Educating the youth of America is crucial if America is to maintain its position as a leader of the free world. An organization, such as, ITS TIME continue to play a critical role in educating inner city and disadvantaged youth. In this middle school environment, disadvantaged youth are given the opportunity to develop skills that are pivotal in the development of their full potential.”
“The challenges facing our youngsters not only within the community but globally, make initiatives like IT’S TIME a most relevant program. Its mission to nurture middle school students in Washington DC to someday assume roles of civic leadership through the syllabus outlined has profound and broad implications. The mission of IT’S TIME to provide the students with the tools and skills to be competitive, dynamic, articulate and farsighted is a goal unquestionably at the core of excellence our educational systems wishes to achieve. With support and encouragement of its staff and volunteers, this marvelous organization will certainly provide a valuable adjunct to the DC school system. I am unabashedly a cheerleader for IT’S TIME and hope through exposure via outlets like Great NonProfit its outreach can be broadened.”
Keith Beverly, CFA, CFP®, MBA
“IT’S TIME is an exciting relatively new program that provides middle school youngsters with the skills to achieve scholastic success and awareness of what life choices are available. My observation of the students was that they were very industrious youngsters, eager to learn and very receptive to what was being offered. The staff was very impressive, young professionals seemingly committed to embracing the idea that the educational challenges facing these inner city youngsters could and should be addressed. Kudos to IT’S TIME for its vision and mission.”
“Community service is a noble vocation. I am very impressed with what the young professionals at the vanguard of this remarkable organization are attempting to address and have accomplished. The challenges facing our inner city youth are immense. The pernicious effect of poverty and the complications inherent in providing these youngster with quality education makes any enrichment initiative not only admirable but imperative. IT’S TIME with support and encouragement can be a juggernaut in helping to revitalize and bolster the efforts of an educational system faced with a very daunting task. Providing young people with the tools and skills to become self-sufficient, productive citizens must be a mandate that cannot be allowed to fail. IT’S TIME has certainly embraced that vision with its innovative and resouceful program.”
“I have been volunteering at IT’S TIME for a year and the experiences I have gone through are tremendous. Not only did I have the opportunity to be a part of an organization whose mission I believe is both essential and inspirational to the development of a child, but it also gave me the opportunity to be exposed to an array of professionals who were featured speakers at the Lunch Time Program. Being a sophomore at Howard University, I still feel the need for some counseling. By listening to these influential professionals, I found them extremely informative and helpful in formulating my own career choices; as well as giving motivation for the children within the program by inspiring them to reach above and beyond. There were speakers ranging from medical position, political positions, beauty pageants, etc. I commend the co-founders, Zalenda Cyrille and Keith Beverly, for IT’S TIME for their incredible vision. The challenges faced within the DC school system are momentous, however, IT’S TIME’s purpose is to help enlighten and challenge talented DC Middle School students by providing them greater opportunities and motivation to succeed. Thus, this will help fight the District’s educational problem. I would most definitely recommend anyone and everyone who are interested in the educational plight of inner city children to support IT’S TIME. It is a marvelous organization and I have the utmost most respect and appreciation for it.”
“I was very impressed with the attentiveness and curiosity of the students. The instructors made certain that the subject matters were presented in an effective and professional manner. The class room environment was without question conducive to the children being motivated to learn. The program’s curriculum stressed areas of learning that are important in the maturation of these youngsters. They are at a very critical time in their lives and a program like IT’S TIME gives them the direction and skills to become the productive, self-assured, educated adults from whom future leaders will emerge. A program like this is important and long overdue: hopefully it will find support to insure its growth.”
“I am the volunteer program manager for a mentoring group for students in grades 5-12. I have watched the program grow and referred students and parents to the program. I have reviewed the curriculum and it is relevant and challenging for students. It also provides a sense of accomplishment at the end of the term.”
“I gave a Saturday presentation to the kids about the stock market, and was impressed by their understanding, attentiveness, and interest — hallmarks I attribute to the quality of the It’s Time program in general. It wouldn’t seem easy to get middle-school kids to focus on extracurricular learning on the weekends, but It’s Time does it — and does it well.”
“I recently sat in on a IT’S TIME session and had the opportunity to observe its philosopy in action. The financial expert/presenter was very knowlegeable and took great care to explain financial concepts to the students who were very focused and attentive. The students asked articulate questions to get a clear understanding of the concepts. The students were asked to explain how they would implement the concepts if they were in key financial positions. I was amazed at how they had internalized the concepts and were able to justify the positions they took. I have no doubt that these students will continue to gain knowledge that will equip them with the ability/skills to make financially responsible decisions.”
