what makes us full?

From the beginning, half full, llc has maintained its commitment to corporate social responsibility and its “do well, do good” business model. We invest in our community through youth development workshops and forwards (retreats), corporate service days with our clients and community activism through the Smith Hill Partners’ Initiative. Read more about our efforts in our 2024 Impact Report.

Youth development workshops and forwards (retreats)

Created out of personal experiences and the challenges of growing up as teenagers, each summer, the half full team offers youth development opportunities through our Youth Forward series. These retreats bring together 15-20 young people from high schools across Rhode Island. As part of our commitment to a “do well, do good” business model, these Youth Forwards are offered at no cost to students and their families*. All students who attend and complete the Youth Forward series receive a certificate of completion for 30 hours of Leadership Training.

The half full team, joined by several volunteers, takes groups of 15 to 20 teenagers on these overnight experiences where participants build strong relationships, learn about their strengths, and work on plans for moving forward as a teenager into adulthood. Discussions include a variety of topics related to daily life, with the ultimate goal to empower all participants.

Workshops for our Youth Forwards are uniquely designed and are selected based on the theme for that Forward. For example, half full’s Opportunities After High School Forward is a weekend full of workshops geared toward life after high school. This Forward aims to expose participants to all professional and educational options available to them after high school and also introduces them to topics like financial literacy, creating low cost healthy meals, and an introduction to entrepreneurship.

our Youth Forwards are free of charge to participants and are funded by our seasonal merchandise sales, sponsors, and partners

example workshops

• Overcoming Obstacles

• Vision Boards (Planning Your Future)

• Being a Force for Good: How to Spot & Stop Bullying

• Leadership for Teens

• Opportunities After High School

• INGA (Internet Never Goes Away)

• Dancing 101 with Thr3e Live Dance Co.

• Nonviolence for Beginners

• Health & Me

*Additional Youth Forwards and stand-alone workshops are available for a fee.

thank you to our partners, sponsors, and the volunteers

who make our Youth Forwards possible! We could not do it without you

Forward® is a registered trademark of half full, llc.