AUG. 30, 2011 - Rising high school seniors participated in internships at local nonprofit organizations across the state this summer, gaining workplace skills, improving their ability to lead and making lifelong connections.
The Summer Youth Community Economic Development Leadership Program, operated by the Initiative, is an eight-week internship program designed to inspire and shape the next generation of leaders in the field of community economic development.
“We hope some of the interns will become future leaders within the nonprofit sector and, more specifically, in community economic development,” said Initiative CEO Abdul Rasheed. “But more than that, we want them all to come out of the program with the knowledge and skills to be great leaders, no matter where their path takes them.”
The program brings all of the interns together for four Leadership Academy sessions to develop and practice their leadership skills, learn about financial literacy and share their experiences from the field.
“They learn that being a leader is about more than being in charge – it’s about taking people with you when you step up to the plate,” said Kimberly Askew, internship coordinator. “We’re showing them that they can make a positive impact on the world and giving them the skills they need in order to do it.”
For more information on the Summer Youth Leadership Program, www.ncinitiative.org/leadership-development/youth