Learning by Doing:
Richmond's Next Generation of Business Movers & Shakers
While it may take a village to raise a child, creating a workforce of savvy professionals from students ages 14-19 requires a partnership between the schools, business community and The City of Richmond. Carolyn N. Graham, deputy chief administrative officer for human services discusses the Mayor's Youth Academy and Summer Works Initiative.
Mayor Dwight C. Jones looks on during a recent Youth Academy orientation session at George Wythe High School.
For Mayor Jones and Carolyn Graham the program will provide the city's youth with opportunities to achieve success in the business community and enhance Richmond's economy.
Why did the Mayor and City decide to create the program? Richmond City has over 9,000 youth and emerging young adults between the ages of 14 and 19 years old attending public and private schools. Mayor Dwight C. Jones recognizes that these youth are the city's emerging workforce and leaders; and they must have access to the economic engine that makes the City of Richmond and the region run, i.e., its industries, commercial and non-profit sectors, etc. So many of our youth need social outlets to help them understand and reach their potential. Approximately 93% of our children, youth, and emerging young adults (up to 24 years old) are among some of the city's poorest.
Providing our youth with access to opportunities will-in both the short and long term-ultimately reduce poverty, creating a lasting impact on our city. Our bond rating will be enhanced, which will allow the city to borrow cheaper dollars, and move us closer to a AAA bond rating and Mayor Jones' Tier 1 city goal. Research shows that a reduction in poverty by even 1% can make a tremendous difference in what cities are able to save.
If we are to address the systemic issues of poverty that are so pervasive in our city, Mayor Jones believes that we must begin with the early development of our youth. They must be given opportunities to learn, contribute and participate in real-life work experiences. Such opportunities will enhance their performance in school and keep them committed to their city.
What career aspects or job skills are presented during orientation when targeting city youth (ages 14-19)? Although it is important to know how to write a resume and what is considered proper attire for interviews, effective communication and good customer service skills are equally important. The Mayor's Youth Academy's primary goal is to equip our youth with leadership skills, business etiquette, financial literacy, healthy living, and effective communication skills so that they are well-versed when it comes to being an active participant in the workforce.
We have developed two tracks for our youth this summer: the 14-15 year olds will participate in the LifeStages program, which has 12 experiential learning modules: dance, ecology, facility maintenance, creative writing, photography, visual arts, music, poetry, film, fashion design, art, horticulture, and a service project. These youth will also be trained in the core curriculum elements mentioned earlier, e.g., resume writing, effective communications skills, etc. They will receive a stipend of $250 for the summer, and will stay involved in the Academy's year-round program; designed to ensure that they are fully ready to enter employment during the summer of 2011 in the private or non-profit sectors.
After the completion of their training, older youth, between the ages of 16 and 19 years old, will be placed on job sites with private and non-profit employers. They will work approximately six weeks and will be paid a minimum of $1,200 during their summer experience. After the summer work experience is over, we are hoping that employers will retain our older youth who have performed admirably and graduated from high school.
An additional track for youth ages 16 and 19 years old is the Mayor's Youth Urban Conservation Corps. One of the city's East End churches, 31st Street Baptist, has partnered with the city and provided 100 youth a plot of land for them to plant, and sell the produce. Other partners in this initiative include, but are not limited to, five of the city's master gardeners, Virginia State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Tricycle Gardens, Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority, University of Richmond, Virginia Union University, Virginia Commonwealth University, J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College, Habitat for Humanity, Lowe's, Pleasants Hardware, Home Depot, YMCA of Greater Richmond, Assurance Wireless, Richmond Public Schools, Central Virginia Food Bank, Soul Ice, Inc., William Byrd Community House, Manter Fly Youth Development Agency, Meals on Wheels Serving Central Virginia, GRTC, Shipp and Wilson, Inc. 1st Contractors, Richmond Department of Social Services, Richmond Noir Market, Richmond Department of Public Works, Richmond Department of Public Utilities, and the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities.
Additionally, about 20 youth who graduated this year will be involved in a project to build computers at the Family Resource Center. These youth will keep the computers they build, and will be given a $3,000 scholarship to the ECPI Technical College.
Youth participating in both of these latter initiatives are being sponsored by the Capital Regional Workforce Board.
What types of businesses are participating and what kind of work are the participants doing? A number of organizations are helping prepare Richmond's future workforce. Employment opportunities are available from the faith community, non-profit sector and local businesses. A variety of work duties will be performed by the youth this summer including, but not limited to, the following: cultural arts, technology training, facility maintenance, health care, clerical and secretarial, higher education, and customer service.
We have a number of anonymous contributors who have made financial contributions, as well as volunteers who have worked on all segments of this program. Not listed above are the Links, Incorporated, a national, African American women's professional organization; the City of Richmond's Neighbor-to-Neighbor Volunteer initiative; Richmond City Police Department, and the Richmond Department of Justice Services.
