The Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club and SNJ Next will partner for a free public empowerment event next month aimed at fostering personal growth and professional development in South Jersey.
SNJ Next is a nonprofit based in Williamstown that introduces young professionals to career readiness, entrepreneurship and volunteerism with workshops, networking mixers and business education resources, all while bridging the generation gap in a swiftly changing social market.
The lecture – called “How to Empower Yourself” – will be held on Wednesday, June 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the M. Allan Vogelson library in Voorhees. It will feature Maria Grande, a sought-after speaker, trainer and coach known for her motivational talks on self-empowerment.
Grande will lead discussions on self-awareness, behavioral styles in communication and personal empowerment, topics designed to help attendees grow both personally and professionally.
The idea for the talk emerged organically, as the Lions Club sought to connect with like-minded organizations focused on service and self-betterment.
“We at the Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club had been looking to partner with other groups in the South Jersey community to help grow our organization, and to help us give back to the community,” explained club secretary Mimi Hadi.
“When I came across SNJ Next – formerly SNJ Millennial – on social media and reached out to founder Quandell Iglesia, it was clear our missions aligned.”
For Iglesia, community-driven events like the library lecture can be a bridge between ambition and access.
“These events are vital,” noted the leader and entrepreneur. “They create space for connection, collaboration, and visibility, especially for young professionals and entrepreneurs looking to grow.”
The response, according to organizers, has been overwhelmingly positive.
“People are excited, supportive, and eager to get involved,” Iglesia shared. “It’s clear the community values purpose-driven events focused on empowerment.”
The Lions Club launched its free community lecture series last fall, with past sessions on topics like diabetes, sleep apnea and colon-cancer awareness. This month’s empowerment lecture marks the third installment.
Grande was chosen to speak after an online search for impactful speakers. Her track record of delivering empowering content and her strong online presence made her a natural fit.
“Maria has an impressive following and a history of providing inspirational talks,” Hadi said. “We wanted to bring that energy to our community.”
With strong attendance anticipated and interest already building, organizers say this likely won’t be the last collaboration between the Lions and SNJ Next.
“We’re looking forward to more events like this,” Hadi offered. “This is just the beginning.”
Pre-registration is required for the event since space is limited. Visit SNJ Next’s social media or the registration link provided there.
