Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week is an intensive program that educates high school students about the American free enterprise system. Bringing motivated students together with business people from throughout the state. This unique concept in learning has enhanced the lives of nearly 50,000 young adults for more than forty years.
During PFEW, participants not only learn to appreciate our free enterprise system, but they also see from a practitioner's perspective what it takes to be successful in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Student companies simulate the actual operation of their own business for the equivalent of three years. Facing all of the decisions that real executives are confronted by, the student companies are mentored by dedicated business volunteers who serve as Company Advisors. Sharing their knowledge and expertise, Company Advisors address the most significant issues facing business today in straightforward, informal discussion with students.
Accented with motivational speakers and interactive learning exercises, this one-of-a-kind program furnishes a real life educational experience for eager students. Scholarship winners grasp the value of teamwork, cooperation and leadership and are provided with an invaluable opportunity to develop communication skills.
During PFEW, participants not only learn to appreciate our free enterprise system, but they also see from a practitioner's perspective what it takes to be successful in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Student companies simulate the actual operation of their own business for the equivalent of three years. Facing all of the decisions that real executives are confronted by, the student companies are mentored by dedicated business volunteers who serve as Company Advisors. Sharing their knowledge and expertise, Company Advisors address the most significant issues facing business today in straightforward, informal discussion with students.
Accented with motivational speakers and interactive learning exercises, this one-of-a-kind program furnishes a real life educational experience for eager students. Scholarship winners grasp the value of teamwork, cooperation and leadership and are provided with an invaluable opportunity to develop communication skills.
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The Pulse - Volume 20 Issue 9 - August 2020
What a summer. Let’s deal with the reality first. COVID-19 continues to disrupt our families, our communities, our nation, world, and our way of life. But perhaps the greatest disruption has been felt by our young people. Cancellations of sports, proms and graduations took a heavy toll, and plans to resume in-person school this fall remain in jeopardy. Closer to home, for the first time in our 42-year history we were forced to cancel Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week. I think it’s safe to say that this has been a most challenging summer.
But here’s the strange thing. It still has been an extraordinary summer. While we will never go so far as to say the pandemic has been a great thing, many great things have come from it. The single greatest thing for us has been an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Yes, we’ve always been grateful, but this year has made us realize how truly blessed we are. It has given us a far greater appreciation for each other, the work that we do, the students whom we serve, our board, and our countless donors, partners, volunteers, and friends. You support our young people year in and year out, you make them better and more prepared, and you give us the great privilege of making a small difference in thousands of young lives. But above all, you’ve given us the absolute certainty that together, we will emerge from this year stronger and better, that we will triumph over this time in our history and celebrate with renewed spirit our young people and our future. Because of you, we always do.
But here’s the strange thing. It still has been an extraordinary summer. While we will never go so far as to say the pandemic has been a great thing, many great things have come from it. The single greatest thing for us has been an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Yes, we’ve always been grateful, but this year has made us realize how truly blessed we are. It has given us a far greater appreciation for each other, the work that we do, the students whom we serve, our board, and our countless donors, partners, volunteers, and friends. You support our young people year in and year out, you make them better and more prepared, and you give us the great privilege of making a small difference in thousands of young lives. But above all, you’ve given us the absolute certainty that together, we will emerge from this year stronger and better, that we will triumph over this time in our history and celebrate with renewed spirit our young people and our future. Because of you, we always do.
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LIVE Speaker Series Wraps Up!
Remember at the beginning of this Pulse when we said that great things are coming out of the pandemic? Our LIVE Speaker Series was truly one of those great things. We are so grateful to our family of PFEW motivational speakers who took time out of their summer to inspire, motivate, challenge, and comfort our students and viewers as they navigate these turbulent times. These Thursday night sessions wrapped up last week, but it’s not too late to hear these inspiring messages. Each message is archived and is available for viewing by clicking here. In addition to their live messages, our viewers were treated to very special interactive sessions at the conclusion of each speaker’s message. Viewers were able to meet the speakers for more informal discussion and to have their questions answered. It was a great way to bring a little of the PFEW magic to our students this summer. Once again, thank you to all the amazing women and men who shared their knowledge, wisdom, strength and hope with our eager audiences. Because of you, our summer Thursdays were a whole lot brighter! 2021 - A Look Ahead
Here’s a quick glimpse of the great things we have in store for the rest of 2020 and 2021:
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Another Great Erie Gives Day, Thanks to You!
The 10th annual Erie Gives Day was held last Tuesday, August 11th, and it was another great day for the Foundation thanks to our incredible supporters. The response was overwhelming considering the financial hardships being borne by companies and individuals due to the pandemic. This year’s Erie Gives shattered two records. The number of gifts made to all non-profits last Tuesday totaled 11,418, up from 8,958 a year ago, and the total amount raised was a staggering $6,287,202, up from $5,569,161 in 2019. For us, it was another phenomenal day. Thanks to people fulfilling their pledges for 2020 and providing gifts for 2021, we received over $190,000 in total gifts. These gifts will also qualify for an as yet to be determined match from a pool of funds donated by the Erie Community Foundation and Erie area corporate sponsors. These vital funds will educate thousands of young people and set us on a course for a successful 2021 program year. Thank you to all who so generously gave to the Foundation last Tuesday so we can expand our mission of preparing our youth for the workforce and life! Career Speaker Series Grows!
Our Career Track Speaker Series continues to grow! To date, over 60 videos have been recorded and archived for students and educators to access at any time to explore careers and check off those all-important Career, Education and Work standards required by the state. We recently began marketing this Series to the statewide schools community, and we look forward to helping middle and high school students discover and prepare for exciting careers in Pennsylvania! We’ll continue expanding our library in the coming months and years to make our young people workforce ready! Thank you to all the fantastic presenters who took the time to sit down with us and share their expertise with our audience. We’re always looking for new and interesting careers to share with our viewers. If you want to help the next generation chart a path for their future, contact Amber Goss at [email protected]. We’d love to feature you! |
A Word of Thanks
As we wrap up this most challenging yet uniquely rewarding summer, we have so many people to thank:
To our Board – Thank you for making the heartbreaking yet correct decision to cancel PFEW. We know how difficult that was, and we appreciate your knowledge, foresight, and great care and concern, not only for us, but for our volunteers and the students we serve.
To our Donors – Thank you for allowing us to continue our work. Your generous gifts allowed us to create the Speaker Series, offer the Stock Market Game, and prepare for PFEW 2021. You showed us that no matter what comes our way, the mission will always triumph.
To our Volunteers – Thank you for your understanding, support, and encouragement. You inspire us to never give up and to keep our eyes on the prize. We were so disappointed that we couldn’t be together this year. However, we look forward to gathering again soon and once again inspiring thousands of young lives.
To our Partners – Thank you for sharing the Foundation’s message and encouraging your colleagues to support our programming. We know how difficult this has been for you, and we appreciate your tenacity to promote the ideals of free enterprise in your communities. We hope you’ll join us again as we continue this important and vital work.
To our Educators – Thank you for persevering through this unprecedented time and promoting PFEW and SMG to your students. We hope you will use the Speaker Series to prepare our young people for great careers. Join us as we prepare for PFEW 2021, SMG, and another great year of learning and growth.
And finally, to our Students – You’ve had the most difficult journey of all. You’ve faced incredible disappointment, hardship, fear, and uncertainty. But through it all, you’ve shown us great strength and hope, endless courage and a boundless spirit that simply cannot be stopped. Thank you for inspiring us to work even harder for you. You are the reason we do what we do.
As we wrap up this most challenging yet uniquely rewarding summer, we have so many people to thank:
To our Board – Thank you for making the heartbreaking yet correct decision to cancel PFEW. We know how difficult that was, and we appreciate your knowledge, foresight, and great care and concern, not only for us, but for our volunteers and the students we serve.
To our Donors – Thank you for allowing us to continue our work. Your generous gifts allowed us to create the Speaker Series, offer the Stock Market Game, and prepare for PFEW 2021. You showed us that no matter what comes our way, the mission will always triumph.
To our Volunteers – Thank you for your understanding, support, and encouragement. You inspire us to never give up and to keep our eyes on the prize. We were so disappointed that we couldn’t be together this year. However, we look forward to gathering again soon and once again inspiring thousands of young lives.
To our Partners – Thank you for sharing the Foundation’s message and encouraging your colleagues to support our programming. We know how difficult this has been for you, and we appreciate your tenacity to promote the ideals of free enterprise in your communities. We hope you’ll join us again as we continue this important and vital work.
To our Educators – Thank you for persevering through this unprecedented time and promoting PFEW and SMG to your students. We hope you will use the Speaker Series to prepare our young people for great careers. Join us as we prepare for PFEW 2021, SMG, and another great year of learning and growth.
And finally, to our Students – You’ve had the most difficult journey of all. You’ve faced incredible disappointment, hardship, fear, and uncertainty. But through it all, you’ve shown us great strength and hope, endless courage and a boundless spirit that simply cannot be stopped. Thank you for inspiring us to work even harder for you. You are the reason we do what we do.
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All Rights Reserved. 2021 8 Federal Road | Suite 1, West Grove, PA 19390 Phone: (610) 444-0774 | [email protected] | sitemap |
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