Strategic Staffing Solutions is committed to helping the next generation prepare for success. So when one its customers asked for support for 4-H, S³ jumped at the chance.

Cindy Pasky

S³ was one of the sponsors at the National 4-H Council’s 5^th annual Legacy Awards Gala recently held at the Newseum in Washington, DC.

“S³ is all about helping set children on the right course to succeed in life,” said Cindy Pasky, president and CEO. “4-H works with them to shape that course, define their place in the in the world and learn to stand up for themselves, their community and those less fortunate. It is a perfect fit for S³. Like 4-H we want to make the best better and we have pledged our heads to clearer thinking, our hearts to greater loyalty, our hands larger service and our health to better living.”

Pasky and two other S³ executives, Allen Coleman, executive vice president, and Jeff Nelson, vice president, attended the event. In addition, the ambassadors from Latvia and Lithuania to the US Andris Razans and Zygmantas Pavilionis respectively attended the gala. S³ has branches in both those countries.

L-R; Andris Razans, ambassador to US from Latvia, Allen Coleman, Cindy Pasky, and Zygmantas Pavilionis, ambassador to the US from Lithuania

Funds from the 4-H Legacy Awards Gala are used by the National 4-H Council to increase access and the opportunity for more young people to grow through a 4-H experience.  This includes:

• Increasing programming in both urban and rural areas in the US
• Building global partnerships and connecting U.S. 4-H youth to 4-H’ers on other continents
• Preparing youth for STEM-based jobs, creating a healthier world and ensuring a food secure planet

At an early age, participation in 4-H encourages a love of agriculture and helps children begin to develop leadership skills that will help them succeed throughout their lives.  Research  shows 4-Hers are nearly four times more likely than their peers to contribute to their communities, two times more likely to make healthy choices and two times more likely to participate in science programs outside of school. In addition, 4-H girls are two times more likely (Grade 10) and nearly three times more likely (Grade 12) to take part in science programs compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities.

The National 4-H Council pledges to share 4-H programs broadly and to amplify the urgent need for investment in youth.  More than 6 million youth, ages 8-19, are currently engaged in 4-H projects in the areas of citizenship, science and healthy living under the guidance of more than half a million adult volunteers.

While most of us think of 4-H as a program for rural communities, that’s just not so. Youth in urban and suburban areas are also engaged in the positive 4-H experience. In fact, 4-H is one of the largest youth development organizations in the world. Its Facebook page has more than 500,000 followers.

Allen Coleman with celebrity chef Anne Burrell

“As America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H helps grow remarkable young people into confident adults with purpose,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council.

The organization has some pretty spectacular alumni including Andrew Bosworth, vice president of ads and pages at Facebook and inventor of the social media site’s popular “news feed,” and Anne Burrell, celebrity chef, author and Food Network host.  They received Distinguished Alumni medallions at the gala.

“Every year, the 4-H Legacy Awards gives us an opportunity to shine a light on the dynamic alumni, young people, professionals, donors and public figures who make the 4-H experience one that is life-changing,” said Sirangelo.

Just for the record one of every 7 adult Americans is a former 4-Her. Other famous former 4-Hers include David Letterman, Julie Roberts, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Alan Shepherd, Roy Rogers, Johnny Carson, Al Gore, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Lamar Alexander, Herschel Walker, Reggie White, Orville Redenbacher and Roslyn and Jimmy Carter.

4-H programs are implemented by the 109 land-grant universities and cooperative extension in the US through more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, 4-H programs operate through independent, country-led organizations in more than 50 countries.

Strategic Staffing Solutions is committed to furthering culture, helping children succeed and giving back to the communities in which we do business. So when the opportunity came up to help the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit’s internationally acclaimed Mosaic Singers compete in the World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia, it was a no-brainer. It would do all three.

S³ has an office in Riga, Latvia, so not only is this sponsorship helping children, it is also furthering culture and giving back to the community where it does business.

Mosaic Singers perform at S3’s 2014 All Staff meeting.

S³ is providing the resources for the group to compete with 500 or so choirs from 60 countries in what has become known as the “Olympics for Choirs.”  In its eighth year, the World Choir Games is the world’s largest choir competition and will be held July 9-19. About 20,000 singers from all over the world are expected to participate in the Games, which follow the Olympic ideals of excellence, friendship and respect. Mosaic will take 26 young artists and four chaperones on the trip.

“We want the world to know what tremendous talent we have in Detroit,” said Cindy Pasky, president and CEO of Strategic Staffing Solutions. “The Mosaic Singers are a wonderful example of that talent. They will compete with some of the best choirs in the world and I know they will do so with the same passion for success we have in Detroit and at S³.”

The World Choir Games will be one of the highlights of the European Capital of Culture 2014 in Riga. Each year the European Commission choses two cities as European Capitals of Culture. Riga and Umeå, Sweden, share the title this year.

“Words cannot begin to express our gratitude and appreciation to Strategic Staffing Solutions for making this trip of a lifetime and opportunity possible for our Mosaic Singers,” said Rick Sperling, CEO and founder of Mosaic Youth Theatre. “We look forward to competing in Latvia and showcasing Detroit’s amazing talent through these young voices on a global stage.”

While in Latvia, the choir will also perform in public friendship concerts and will make a side trip to Vilnius, Lithuania, for additional performances. S³ also has an office in Vilnius. American embassies in both countries are working with the S³ team to find the best venues to showcase the Mosaic choir. The dates are yet to be determined.

In Latvia the World Choir Games will feature a major concert showcasing the thousands of singers at “Mežaparks,” a neighborhood in North Central Riga. The park, built in the early 20th century, was one of the world’s first garden cities. It hosts the Latvian Song and Dance Festival in late July every four years.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the Mosaic Singers of the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit,” said Andris Razans, ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the USA and Mexico. “I am particularly very happy that you are coming from Michigan – a state with which Latvia has a long-lasting and deep cooperation. I wish you all success in the World Choir Games.”

The Mosaic Singers have performed in more than 25 states, at The White House and The Kennedy Center. Internationally, they have represented the United States at the World Festival of Children’s Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, performed at The Millennium Dome in London England, and participated in cultural exchanges with Dakar, Senegal and Singapore.

In 2013, S³ donated more than $1 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charitable efforts around the world and has donated more than $7 million since 2005.

Every Saturday during winter (and more often during the summer months) Detroiters flock to Eastern Market to buy fresh food, check out the vendors and just plain mingle and enjoy the day. Most Saturdays you can find Cindy Pasky, Strategic Staffing Solutions (S³) president and CEO, at the market. After all, she’s a downtown business leader who actually lives in the city.

The six-block public market has a long history. It’s been feeding Detroit and providing jobs since 1891. Every Saturday it is transformed into a vibrant marketplace with hundreds of open-air stalls. As the Market says it’s “where everyone from toddlers to tycoons look for fruits, veggies, fresh-cut flowers, homemade jams, maple syrups, locally produced specialty food products, pasture and/or grass-fed meat and even an occasional goose or rabbit.”

The Market is a great place to visit and spend a few hours but it also has the potential to make an even bigger impact on Detroit’s economy and its residents.

According to the Market, estimates say if 25% of our food could be sourced locally it would generate nearly 5,000 jobs, create $20 million in new local taxes and $125 million in new household income.  Detroit sure could use those jobs and those dollars.

With that in mind, S³ entered into a three-year commitment to sponsor Eastern Market’s Winter Season and support to expand educational aspects of the Friends of Eastern Market program. While S³ never reveals the dollar figure of its sponsorships, this one is indeed major.

“Eastern Market is one of Detroit’s treasures and S³ is committed to supporting our city’s gems and the health of those who live here,” said Pasky. “Our sponsorship will help develop and advance one of Detroit’s most cherished places, increase job opportunities and improve access to healthy foods at America’s most complete metropolitan food hub.”

That gift will help increase awareness of Eastern Market during the winter season and allow it to continue to build new programs as new market facilities, such as the Detroit Community Kitchen, come on line. Its support of Friends of Eastern Market helps the Market continue to improve access to healthy, green, affordable and fair food choices in Detroit and throughout Southeast Michigan while also strengthening the food sector as a pillar of regional economic growth.

Colorful S³ winter season street pole banners and signage have been installed to better welcome Eastern Market visitors from now until the end of March.

“Throughout the year, the nature of the market changes with the seasons. By developing seasonal sponsorships for the winter, spring, summer, harvest, and holiday seasons we hope to develop new programs and marketing materials that highlight each season’s distinctiveness,” said Dan Carmody, president of Eastern Market. “We’re grateful for Cindy Pasky’s outstanding leadership in paving the way and appreciate S³’s support as our first seasonal Market sponsor.”

Check it out.