The Cleveland Boys and Girls Club has partnered with the Cleveland Browns and KeyBank to launch Career Readiness Certificate Program.
Dozens of teens from multiple locations across Cleveland will participate in the national initiative.
"Our kids walk away with a five year plan,” said Renata Brown, Director of Program Operations for Cleveland’s Boys and Girls Club. "Just exposing them to a bunch of careers is really eye opening to them. They didn't realize what different possibilities are out there. We are almost a pseudo parent at time, or an additional parent or additional guardian."
The program will kick off at a Sept. 12 event. Initially, only high school juniors and seniors will take part in learning soft skills, like how to properly send emails, and conduct interviews. Teens will also be exposed to information technology, manufacturing and logistics and automotive healthcare.
"I'm very determined to do what I need to do,” said high school senior, Jovon Kelley. "If you want something; you got to fight for it. You've got to have the hunger for it. My folks are very proud of me; I'm going to be the first one in my family to go to college."
"I definitely feel a change in myself. I feel like my attitude has changed,” said Tom-Mya Griffin.
The final piece of the program involves job shadowing and a 100-hour internship.
