The Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program, a fixture since 1983, continues to lay the groundwork for teen success through career preparation and personal development, as affirmed in recent coverage. This year, the initiative has seen 175 local teenagers immerse themselves in the world of work across an 8-week summer session.
Elesha Dye, a healthcare worker and participant in the program more than 25 years ago, was adamant to encourage her 15-year-old daughter Tiffany to enroll. And it appears to have paid off. “It shaped me in a lot of ways. I got to do stuff I’d never done before. I met professionals who give advice which was helpful,” Tiffany told the City of Raleigh.
But the program aims to deliver more than a paycheck’s worth of value. According to Rebekah Dixon, the program manager, these teens are not just holding down a job; they’re being equipped with crucial life skills. The curriculum includes financial education, mental health seminars, and a Professional Development Day that helps teens to swiftly develop their resumes and even secure professional headshots…