Our Company:  Community Programs

As an introduction to the “World of Work,” my first job was as a summer aide in the East Orange public library. During the following four summers I returned to the program, working in various places including the East Orange Municipal court. Not only did the Summer Work Experience Program provide me with my first job, but also the program gave me the opportunity to develop skills such as office etiquette and resume building, and a work ethic. Currently I am a student at Rutgers University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the Biological Sciences with a minor in Anthropology. After graduating, I plan to attend medical school.

In 1991, LA was a student at Career Academy, which he believes is the reason for his success today. While taking classes at the Academy, LA was given the chance to participate in the Youth Works summer jobs program where he was exposed to employment opportunities in the hospitality industry. His interest in this field led him to enroll in a focused hotel training program. Soon LA got his first full-time job at the Sheraton and continued to demonstrate his commitment to his work. He took advantage of on-the-job training opportunities and before long, LA moved up the career ladder to become supervisor of the hotel's front desk.

Debra Walters (Butler), a native of Columbus, MS, started as a summer youth intern for the City of Memphis, Information Systems department, in May 1999. She began her career with the City of Memphis as a Personal Computer (PC) technician. Shortly after graduating with her B.A. in Management Information Systems, she returned to the City of Memphis as a full-time Help Desk Specialist.

Dawn B. Thomas, a native Houstonian and long resident of District H, began working for Council Member Adrian Garcia in 2004, as a council liaison and the scheduler. Prior to working for City Council, Dawn worked for the Housing Authority of the City of Houston for nine years, with six of those years as a Public Housing Manager. Dawn began working through the Houston Works summer program in 1986 and continued to work every summer throughout 1992.

Ryanne is currently a high school senior at East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte. Thanks to the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program (MYEP), Ryanne interned with the County’s tax office last summer and worked as an intern with WBT-radio last fall through spring of ’09. She will be interning this summer with WTVI the local PBS affiliate in Charlotte. She is still a MYEP participant. Ryanne is a beneficiary of the Colgate Intern Scholarship for Charlotte. Colgate has made it possible for Ryanne to experience firsthand her dream of working in media.

Sathya graduated from North Atlanta High School in May 2005, but as he began receiving his college acceptance letters, he realized that many of the offers came without financial assistance. Sathya came in and met with Mayor Shirley Franklin about his situation and became a member of the Mayor's Youth Program. After working during the summer and applying for scholarships and loans he remained unable to afford the University of Chicago's tuition. However, with the Mayor's support, Sathya Henderson graduated from the University of Chicago in December 2008 with a 3.80 GPA! Sathya is currently working with the Mayor's Youth Program interviewing students for summer internships. His ambition is to become a successful lawyer or to teach law.