Neighbor News
Bank of America Funds Summer Jobs for Rhode Island Teens
Student Leaders® program provides youth with paid internships at local nonprofits in recognition of their community efforts
PROVIDENCE - This summer, The Bank of America Charitable Foundation awarded five high school juniors and seniors from Rhode Island eight-week paid summer internships at local nonprofits through the Bank of America Student Leaders program.
Although the overall economy continues to show signs of improvement, youth unemployment remains at a record high. This holds true here in Rhode Island, where 10.8 percent of teens are neither employed nor in school.That’s why Bank of America is focused on connecting young people to the education and training they need to succeed in the 21st century workforce.
“These exceptional students will be learning valuable job and leadership skills while supporting the work of The Boys and Girls Club,” said Bill Hatfield, Rhode Island president, Bank of America. “It’s a win-win situation that helps make our community stronger.”
The five students who participated this summer are:
·Elmer A. Torres of Providence, a recent graduate of E-Cubed Academy High School, will be working at the Providence Boys and Girls Club
·Richard Keach of Woonsocket, a recent graduate of Woonsocket High School, will be working at the Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club
·Paola Velez of Central Falls, a rising senior at Blackstone Academy Charter School, will be working at the Providence Boys and Girls Club
·Michael Jimenez, a recent graduate of ProvidenceCareer and Technical Academy, will be working at the Providence Boys and Girls Club
·Azzys Rodas of Central Falls, a recent graduate of St. Raphael Academy, will be working at the Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club
In July,these five young individuals joined more than 200 other Student Leaders from around the country for a week-long leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where they participated in skill-building workshops, a service learning project, sessions to develop better money habits and meetings with Members of Congress. Since 2004, the program has connected 45 teens from Rhode Island with summer employment, and has supported 2,200 young people nationwide.
To learn more about Bank of America’s Corporate Social Responsibility programs and practices, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow the company on Twitter @BofA_News and @BofA_Community.
