Employment preparedness and work experience are important life lessons, and so is understanding the importance of giving back to the community. Teens in the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce Summer Youth Initiative (SYI) receive all three.
On August 7 close to 600 students will volunteer during the 2013 SYI Day of Service. Volunteers will work at one of 50 non-profit agencies in Genesee County. All students will be bussed to Kearsley Park and then shuttled to their volunteer site assignments with adult chaperones. The day culminates in an end of summer celebration.
“The purpose of the day of service is to teach students the importance of giving back to their community,” said Rhetta Hunyady, Chamber Vice President of Education and Training. “Because the students have benefitted from community giving, the day of service enables them to become involved in their community and learn the value of giving to others.”
Volunteer opportunities include sorting food or clothing, assisting at day camps, serving as office assistants, performing gardening and outdoor maintenance and cleaning empty lots or elementary classrooms.
The SYI program helps 500 graduates of TeenQuest, the Chamber’s leadership and pre-employment training find jobs each year. The Chamber works with area nonprofit and for-profit businesses to hire students for summer and year-round jobs including summer day camp counselors working with young children, general office duties, reading assistants, beautification and gardening assistants, library assistants and food bank workers.
For more information about SYI or TeenQuest contact Rhetta Hunyady at (810) 600-1412 or .