Centralina WDB E-Newsletter September 2004

Youth Council Learns How Local Teens become Savvy Entrepreneurs

The Centralina Youth Council had the opportunity at their September 16th meeting to hear about young people engaged in learning how to run and own their own business. Ms. Christy Hare, Program Manager with Iredell County Teen Health, Inc. presented the Teen Entrepreneur Program to the council.

The Teen Entrepreneur Program began in 2003 and 41 students have completed the program. It is a free program to high school sophomores who apply. Students follow the YoungBiz, Inc. Model, which includes topics such as first impressions, marketing, customer service, banking, finance, sales, and business ethics. Students are also required to complete a twenty (20) page business plan for their project. As part of the Teen Entrepreneur Program, community business leaders volunteer to share their expertise by talking with the students about what it takes to own your own business and be successful.

Past student entrepreneurs have started and sustained various types of businesses including, lawn service, pet care, skate board design, and computer repair. Twenty-seven (27) students are currently enrolled in the program and meet at the South Statesville Skills Center. Free transportation is provided to students to and from the center. For more information about the Teen Entrepreneur Program please call 704.872.1023 or email at harechristy@hotmail.com.

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New Youth Council Members Offer Expertise and Experience

The Centralina Youth Council recently appointed two new members to represent Union and Stanly Counties on the Council and uphold the Centralina Youth Council Mission to provide youth, jointly with their family / caretakers, opportunities for future success.

Ms. Carolyn White, Director of Student Services and Testing for Union County Public Schools was unanimously appointmented to serve on the Council. Ms. White brings many years of experience working with students in the public schools. In her current position she supervises all school counselors, including the Career Development Coordinators for Union County Public Schools.

Ms. Amanda Marshall, Program Manager for Arc Services, Inc. in Albemarle was also appointed to the Youth Council. She has experience working with youth with disabillities for over ten years. Amanda currently supervises the Work Adjustment Program at Jackson Training School and is developing a transition (school-to-work) program for youth with disabilities.

For more information about joining the Centralina Workforce Development Board Youth Council please contact Stephanie Boger @ 704.348.2725 or sboger@centralina.org.

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South Rowan High School culinary arts students with teacher Ms. Hogdes.

South Rowan High School Students Show off Talent for "Walk A Day in My Shoes" Luncheon!

The Salisbury-Rowan School-to-Career Council recently held their volunteer appreciation luncheon for teachers and business leaders who participated in the 2004 Walk A Day in My Shoes Program. Students in the Advanced Food Services II Program at South Rowan High School provided the catering for the event. Several students lead by their teacher, Ms Hodges, prepared a meal to serve over 40 people that attended the luncheon event. Students gain various skills related to the field of culinary arts through the food services program.

The "Walk A Day in My Shoes" Program celebrates the partnership between educators and the business community. Volunteer educators spend a day shadowing a Rowan County businessperson and then the business leader walks in the shoes of the educator and spends a day in the classroom. The overall goal of this initiative is to show how today's businesses operate and the skills and careers needed in today's workforce. For educators it's a chance for them to showcase their classrooms and share their experiences with their students and business leaders.

Walk A Day in My Shoes is sponsored by Time Warner Cable, Rowan-Salisbury School System, and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the School-to-Career Council please contact Ms. Linda James at linda.james@twcable.com.

Pam Cordts (c.) , Human Resources Manager with W.A. Brown and Son, Inc, and Centralina Workforce Development Board member, participated in this year's Walk a Day in My Shoes Program.

October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month

“You’re Hired!
Success Knows No Limitations!”
For more information please visit
www.dmd-aapd.org