Youth Economic Development Program:

Vision:

To build the economic capacity of our youth and our community through programs and activities that uphold education, life-skills development, workforce development, cultural arts, and civic participation.

Mission:

To provide enrichment, exploration and employment opportunities in an interactive and dynamic environment, where hands-on learning and in-field experience is the classroom.
Target: Youth ages 13, 14 and 15.

Strategy:

To implement a three-year youth economic development program that provides:

• Training and development to address known barriers to teen employment success i.e. low or misplaced self-esteem, ineffective verbal and non-verbal communications, etc;
• Passion, gifts and skills assessments to define fields of interest and capabilities;
• Employment mentorship, internships and apprenticeship opportunities;
• Certification honored by covenant employer partners;
• Financial planning, tithing, 10/10/80;
• Appreciation of the arts, including trips to museums, theaters, etc; and
• Community service projects and civic participation opportunities.

Stage I:

• Enrichment Program- teens learn important life skills and identify areas of employment interest, giftedness and capabilities.
• Certificate of Participation
• Summer 2009 

Stage II:

• Exploration Program- teens acquire hands-on experience through employment mentorship, internship and apprenticeship opportunities.
• Pre-requisite: Stage I
• Certificate of Achievement
• Summer 2010

Stage III:

• Employment Program- teens obtain employment through employer partners and other community programs, plus explore higher education, career and entrepreneurialism opportunities.
• Pre-requisite: Stage II
• Certificate of Completion
• Summer 2011