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50 For 50 #24: The Watch Ceremony

November 24, 2019  |  50th Anniversary

This is the 24th in a continuing series of stories--one every day for 50 days--to conclude IKRON's year-long celebration of our 50th anniversary. Missed one? No problem! See the entire series on our news page here.

When IKRON participants reach their goals, we think that's a good reason to celebrate. Our biggest party, of course, is graduation, when we give graduates their certificates and shower them with words of affirmation, reminding them of how far they've come: from uncertainty on Day 1 through counseling, case management, education, computer training, and other services, to where they stand on graduation day, having achieved employment or an education goal.

Obtaining a job is a huge feat, especially for our participants who may have thought they'd never work again. Keeping a job is monumental, and we celebrate with our graduates every step of the way as they continue to build on the momentum they picked up in IKRON services.

One way that we formerly celebrated our graduates' success was with a watch ceremony. Any graduate who kept their job for a year was presented with a custom IKRON watch--the watch face had the IKRON logo at the center--at a special event attended by family, friends, and IKRON staff. Much like at graduation, we would talk about the attendee's accomplishments, have dinner, and celebrate together.

Below is a speech from Dr. Julian at one such Watch Ceremony.

 

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