Gratitude is the Attitude

Thankful for Our Guest Speakers

We are thankful for our dedicated volunteers like Imran Khan from NASA Jet Propulsion Lab. Mr. Khan has spoken at all 13 EXP-supported schools, including Barstow and our newest addition, Long Beach Polytechnic! (Picture below.)

You, too, can directly impact the lives of EXP students! We’re looking for speakers to share their respective industry career journeys with high school students. Time commitment: about one hour via Zoom or in person.

L-R: Long Beach Polytechnic High School Pathway Coordinator Emily Thompson, Long Beach USD College and Career Readiness Program Facilitator Kim Irons, NASA JPL engineer Imran Khan, and Long Beach USD Workforce Readiness Assistant Director Mikle McBride.

BNSF presented the grant to EXP and Barstow Unified School District at Barstow’s 75th anniversary event.

Thankful to Be Growing in Barstow

EXP is revving up the opportunity engine in Barstow! Since 2008, we have been growing our programs at Barstow High School, and now we are proud to welcome Central High School as our newest partner school. We are thankful for the support from Barstow Unified School District and the community!

Our growth came at the perfect time as our partner BNSF (read more about them below) announced the creation of the new integrated rail complex dubbed the Barstow International Gateway (BIG). BIG will enhance cargo flow from the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach through the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA).

Barstow City Manager Willie A. Hopkins, Jr. said in a press release, “This facility will bring thousands of jobs to Barstow, while increasing equity, opportunity, and the economic competitiveness of the High Desert.”

This $1.5 billion investment means future career opportunities for our students. And we are ready to prepare them for that future!

Gratitude Spotlight: BNSF

BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight transportation companies and a longstanding EXP partner. They helped establish the Mojave Express Logistics Academy (MXP) at Barstow High School in 2008 to strengthen transportation career-based programs in the high desert.

The 2012 Keeper of Flame honoree, BNSF, has been fueling the opportunity engine in every way, from opening up their doors to our students for worksite tours, job shadow days, and an internship host site, to their dedicated volunteers at our Barstow career fair, mock interviews, and on our Board of Directors.

On October 1st, BNSF presented EXP with a $100,000 grant to support our Barstow programs over the next four years. “This contribution from BNSF will be transformational and enable EXP to build on our already existing presence here in Barstow,” said Amy Grat, EXP, CEO. “We want to help every single student of Barstow to get access to high-wage, high-growth jobs and careers in the transportation industry.”

Thank you, BNSF! We can hardly wait to do better and B-I-G-ger things with you!

Gratitude Check: Your Support in Action

More than 350 Students Explored their Future Careers at GPS Your Future®

The in-person GPS Your Future® returned on September 30 to much rave reviews and success! Thanks to the nearly 100 industry volunteers from more than 30 companies and 43 speaker panelists, who gave their time and talent to help more than 350 students navigate their future career paths. And thanks also to our sponsors whose support made the event possible.

“My daughter had such an amazing experience at GPS Your Future, and it definitely opened her eyes to endless possibilities! She got so much information and even got to meet with people from her dream college!” said Adrianna Garcia, a parent of a Barstow High School student.

Young Fellows Program kicks off on November 10th

“Young Fellows Program gave me a sense of community,” one of last year’s participants said in our survey. “I was able to talk about what’s on my mind and get things off my chest, and that helps me improve my focus academically.”

Your support continues to fuel this impactful mentorship program for boys of color, now in its third year. About 100 students, their parents, and our mentors are coming together on November 10th at Gardena High School for the Young Fellows Program orientation and activities. This is the time for students and parents to meet the mentors in-person before the program resumes virtually every month until April 2023.

Thanks to our program sponsors: Hancock and Julia Banning Education Fund and UPS.

Thankful for a New Team Member

GUANGLIAN "LILIAN" FENG
Accountant

Lilian joined our team in early October, bringing with her experience as a Staff Accountant with ARC Global Logistics, Inc. and J&W Marble, Inc. in the greater Los Angeles area. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego, New York.

Welcome to EXP, Lilian!