Teenagers in Duval County are getting the chance to get paid while they intern for an organization this summer.
The partnership between local organizations and businesses is meant to help teens learn skills that will better their futures and keep them off the streets.
Kennedy Scarmack goes to LaVilla School of the Arts and this year he’s interested in the Mayor’s Youth at Work Partnership.
It’s a program intended to keep kids off the street and employed over the summer.
“It keeps you away from doing the bad stuff, like doing drugs, joining gangs and all that type of stuff,” said Scarmack.
The program partners with other employers, such as Baptist Health, to give students hands-on training in fields in which they may one day get jobs.
“They have the opportunity to work in the nursing units alongside CNA’s. They also have the opportunity to work in some of our business areas,” said Lynn Sherman, the director of community engagement for Baptist Health.
Baptist Health says it will take on nearly 60 students this summer, depending on the funding it receives.
“Baptist Health funds some of the summer employment experiences, but we’re able to expand based on what Kids Hope Alliance is able to provide enough funding for,” said Sherman.
Scarmack believes the program will help get him and his peers to stay on the right track.
“If you have a job you’ll be stable. You’ll have more critical thinking of what you’re going to do with your life,” he said.
For more information on how to register a student and the requirement to participate – you can click here.
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