FOLLOW ME INTO BUSINESS® REGISTRATION AND ORIENTATION FOR NEW APPLICANTS AND RETURNING PARTICIPANTS TO TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY

FOLLOW ME INTO BUSINESS® REGISTRATION AND ORIENTATION

FOR NEW APPLICANTS AND RETURNING PARTICIPANTS

TO TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY

JACKSON, Tenn. – On Saturday, May 5, from 10am, the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce (JMCAACC) will hold registration and orientation for its Follow Me Into Business® 2018 Summer Jobs Program.  The session will take place in the Board Room at the Jackson Madison County Library, 433 East Lafayette (38301).  For more information, call 731-928-4690 or email fhoward@jmcaacc.org.

Founded in 2002, the Follow Me Into Business® youth development and job readiness program is designed to train ages 12 to 18 for success in the business world. The program is free for Jackson and Madison County residents.

As part of the 2018 summer program, all participants will have the privilege of learning about the business world from corporate experts in manufacturing, technology, banking, media, healthcare and other areas as well as entrepreneurs and small business owners.  The Chamber offers separate training sessions for ages 12-15 which meet on Thursdays and Fridays in June and July. Meanwhile, ages 16-18 meet for job readiness training for four consecutive Wednesdays in June and, if accepted, may have the opportunity for their first job and paid hands-on learning at member businesses and nonprofits during July.  Training sessions for all ages take place at the Huntspon Business Complex, 357 North Royal in East Jackson .

Using workshops, role play, mentoring, site visits and shadowing, the Follow Me Into Business® program 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.  For more information, visit www.jmcaacc.org/youth.

Inside of paid jobs, younger participants that complete all eight-weeks of the regular 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. The banquet is open to all participants.

 A City Tour is included in the program to give participants a chance to see the city and adjoining area and learn about civic services, local attractions and major employers.  Last year, the bus tour included  McKellar – Sipes Regional Airport, Armstrong Flooring and the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Museum/Tina Turner Museum. The closing awards ceremony is offered to all participants and their immediate family members.

Follow Me Into Business® is a free community involvement and training program for young people. The program has trained more than 800 young people at no charge since it began in 2002.  Wages for paid jobs are provided through a grant from the City of Jackson .   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 the African American Chamber office located at 351-C North Royal, Jackson , TN 38301 . 

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.    

Membership applications and Follow Me registration packets are available online at www.jmcaacc.org.  Moreover, JMCAACC can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.