Broward students, ages 16-18, from the CareerSource Broward Summer Youth Employment Program gather with Bank of America Broward Market President, Lori Chevy; Bank of America Broward Market Manager, Sandra Juliachs and Bank of America Vice President and Project Manager, Lilia Ciciolla.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BROWARD COLLEGE BLOG

Staff Report

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Bank of America Charitable Foundation has awarded the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County a $31,800 grant to bring the opportunity of real-life, paid work experience to 11 Broward students, between the ages of 16–18.

The grant will support the non-profit in their partnership with CareerSource Broward’s eight-week Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which kicked off June 19, and invests in workforce development and education initiatives throughout Broward County.

The students will report to the Boys & Girls Club of Broward County on their first day, and one additional student from CareerSource Broward’s SYEP will report to a Bank of America financial center.

They will earn a paycheck and engage in real-life, hands-on tasks that will provide an immersive experience and offer the opportunity to learn valuable workplace soft skills.

The program also includes three days of paid training sessions that teach jobreadiness skills, professionalism and workplace expectations.

“Partnerships like ours with Boys & Girls Club of Broward County and CareerSource Broward are instrumental to building a thriving economy, supporting our local non-profits, and empowering and engaging the next generation of our workforce,” said Lori Chevy, Bank of America Fort Lauderdale market president. “This grant will provide these remarkable students opportunities to grow their work skills and build better money habits to encourage their economic mobility.”

“It’s usually difficult for students my age to gain work experience in a professional setting before college, beyond the typical retail or hourly job,” said Jenaih Billie, a participant in this year’s SYEP. “This program will set me up for success, teaching me responsibility and the importance of exceeding expectations, while also gaining new skills and building relationships.”

The Summer Youth Employment Program is an annual program of CareerSource Broward, funded principally by Children’s Services Council of Broward County, with additional funding provided by local municipalities.

Each year, nearly 800 youth throughout the county are selected to work in clerical, assistant or aide roles with government agencies, libraries, community organizations, nonprofits and more.

Students who apply to the SYEP and meet eligibility requirements are selected on a first-come, first-served basis.