FOLLOW ME INTO BUSINESS® REGISTRATION FOR AGES 16-18
NOW OPEN WITH ORIENTATION TO BE HELD APRIL 22ND
Applications are due April 15th
JACKSON, Tenn. – Now through April 14, new applicants and previous program participants, ages 16-18, who are interested in applying for the Follow Me Into Business® 2017 Summer Jobs Program can now submit their applications.
Presented by the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber, the job readiness and workforce development program for teens begins June 7 and continues through July 21. Those prospective participants who submit applications and their parents are invited to attend one of two Orientation and Interview Workshops on Saturday, April 22, 2017. The first session will be held at10am at the Jackson Madison County Library, 433 East Lafayette. The second session will begin at 1pm at Huntspon Business Center , 357 North Royal.
“The program for 16-18 year olds is handled differently from that one for 12-15 year olds,” said Clarence Boone, a former school principal who is a founder of the Follow Me Into Business® program and past president of the African American Chamber. “There is less parental involvement required, less time in the classroom and the big chance to work a paid job or internship for hands-on experience.”
“For many young people, Follow Me Into Business® will provide their first serious look at how business works and also may be their first job. For those who started in the program at ages 12, this is the opportunity that they have been anticipating for as many as four years," Boone said.
All teen job applicants may be able to take advantage job readiness training which will be held on Wednesdays in June. Paid jobs and internships begin in July. Paid jobs are funded by a grant from the City of Jackson . Both paid jobs and unpaid internships are at member businesses and area nonprofits. Applications can be downloaded at www.jmcaacc.org/youth.html. Applications must be mailed by April 15th to JMCAACC, 351-C North Royal or can be dropped off at Nell Huntspon Flower Box no later than 4pm on Saturday, April 15, 2017. Nell Huntspon is board secretary and another chamber founder.
As part of the 2017 summer program, all participants will have the benefit of learning about the business world from corporate experts in manufacturing, banking, media, healthcare and other areas as
well as entrepreneurs and small business owners. The Chamber offers separate training sessions for ages 12-15 and ages 16-18. The program for ages 12-15 begins June 1 and meets on Thursdays and Fridays In June and July.
Using workshops, role play, mentoring, site visits and shadowing, the Follow Me Into Business® program increases understanding and builds poise and self-confidence while exposing young people to the attitudes, mindset and soft skills necessary for success in life and on the job.
Younger participants who complete all eight-weeks of their program will receive a $35 stipend (which includes a $5 membership in the youth chamber plus a membership card), family invitation to the closing Awards Banquet, and a membership card for the youth chamber. A tour of government offices and major corporations also is included in the curriculum to give participants a chance to see the city and learn about civic services and major employers. The awards ceremony and city tour are offered to participants of all ages.
Follow Me Into Business® is a free community involvement and training program for young people that has trained nearly 800 young people since it began in 2002. Those who wish to support the program with a tax-deductible donation can donate online via the chamber’s website or donate with a check or money order. Checks should be made payable to “JMCAACC” and mailed 351-C North Royal, Jackson , TN 38301 . For more information, call 731-424-2030 or email followme@jmcaacc.org.
The Jackson Madison County African American Chamber is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission included the growth and development of member businesses, youth entrepreneurial development and economic and community development. Membership is open to small businesses, corporations, churches and nonprofits as well as individual supporters. Moreover, youth participants can become members of the “junior” chamber which meets bimonthly throughout the year.
Duane Cherry, president of D&D Healthcare and administrator for Mission Convalescent Home, is the current president of JMCAACC. Florence Howard is executive director. The office is located at 351-C North Royal, Jackson , TN 38301 – 731-424-2030.
