Non-profit working to get dozens of teens paid work experience

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Blue Ribbon Commission wants to help sponsor dozens of teenagers for a summer program to get job experience.

The BRC held its Pathways to Success Breakfast at the Coastline Convention Center in Wilmington today.

The Blue Ribbon Commission is a non-profit organization which started in 2008 aimed to prevent youth violence.

The breakfast highlighted the BRC’s Summer Employment program, Voyage.

“This annual breakfast is always uplifting,” said board member and communications director Paige Blair. “I’m excited about this year’s program, because I think our guests will really be impacted when they hear the stories from both sides of this incredible program. Our partnering companies are vested in it, and they make such a difference in the young lives involved.”

BRC Executive Director Jana Jones Halls said the summer program helps teenagers in 10th through 12th grade get paid job experience. She said the goal is to sponsor 40 teens this summer.

“It costs about $2,000 per youth to sponsor them for eight weeks of paid work experience and this voyage summer employment program is in partnership with “Kids Making It”, another non-profit, so we’re working together to expand the job sites and opportunities for the kids,” Halls said.

Click here to find out how you can get involved with one of their programs or to donate and help the youth in our area.