From the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County announced today that it has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.
The grant will enable Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County to expand its CareerLaunch Teen Program, which includes two 10-week sessions and workshops to improve résumé writing and job interviewing skills. The program also connects teens with local businesses that offer summer jobs and job shadowing opportunities.
“We are pleased to receive this grant from Bank of America in our efforts to develop the next workforce for the Greater Baltimore region,” said Tim Wills, Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County executive director. “Teens will be able to take the skills learned in CareerLaunch, use them immediately to enter the local workforce, apply for internships and develop into stronger employees.”
The CareerLaunch Program focuses on Club members who are 13 to 18 years old. Funding from Bank of America will support at-risk or disadvantaged teens develop work skills and provide them with an introduction to the workforce.
“Helping members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County develop professional skills in a nurturing environment benefits the entire community,” said David Millman, Maryland and Baltimore market president, Bank of America. “With a teen unemployment rate of more than 26 percent in the Baltimore area it is critical that young adults have opportunities and are prepared for the work world.”
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation this year has provided workforce development grants to 24 nonprofits in the greater Baltimore region to help individuals and families build better financial lives. These grants support job skills training and financial education, which help communities thrive.
Workforce development and education, along with basic human services and community development are top priorities because there is significant need in these areas in Baltimore and across the country. These grants build on several years of investment in workforce development in the Baltimore region.
We need more programs like this, along with more corporations that are willing to give grants to America’s youth.