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We Need Internships for our 2008-2009 Class! Due to recent economic conditions, several of the employers we had thought would host a student intern have had to back out for this year. We have 28 students participating in this year's program, and at this writing we have only 18 placements. If you or someone you know might be able to host an intern, please call Eric Olson-Getty, the Internship Coordinator, at 688-2036, or send him an email at intern@yodurham.org. We are looking for employers who are able to provide a supportive, mentored work environment where students can be trained in new tasks, utilize new skill-sets, and be exposed to a variety of possible career paths. Interns work from 6-10 hours per week for 36-weeks, and are paid a minimum of $7.00/hour. YO:Durham Celebrates Graduation The first class of YO:Durham participants graduated Sunday July 1, 2008 at 4 pm in the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Auditorium. Twenty-three of 24 students who started the Summer Academy in June of 2007 completed the year-long program. Many people came to help the students celebrate their success in the YO: Durham program, including County Commissioner Reverend Michael Page, Mayor Pro-tem Cora Cole-McFadden, Youth Services coordinator Evelyn Scott, parents, employers, and friends. The guest speaker was Brian Dawson, radio personality for K97.5 FM. Dawson shared with the students his story and emphasized the importance of hard work and connecting with positive influences to accomplish goals. The graduates of the program have shown real progress toward achieving the goals of YO: Durham. Of the participants:
The first class of YO: Durham students have definitely taken initiative and proven their leadership. During the graduation ceremony, three high school graduates were recognized - Joyceline Mwangi and Kiya Green, who will be going on to post-secondary education, and Jalissa Hall, who will be attending cosmetology school and opening a group home in the future. In addition to recognizing our high school graduates, two students received scholarships. The first recipient, who received the Jamie Lauffer Memorial Leadership Scholarship, was Tevin Armstrong, one of the students who will continue working at his internship throughout the summer due to his hard work and professionalism. The second recipient, who received the Adriel D. Williams Memorial Scholarship, was Kiya Green, one of the high school graduates. YO: Durham plans to build on this success in 2008-2009 with increased enrollment in the program. Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has renewed its support for YO:Durham for 2008-2009. Not only is BCBS providing generous financial assistance, but BCBS is also increasing the number of internships it offers our students. Real life work experience and on-the-job-training through internships like these offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield are an integral part of our program. Through internships, students complete meaningful work while mastering the skills crucial to employment success and marketability. Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC and YO:Durham are committed to making Durham a better place to live for all of its citizens by providing opportunities for at-risk youth. During the 2008 graduation ceremony the inaugural Community Visionary Award was presented to Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. E. Reese of Medical Review accepted the award. Creation of Citizen Advisory Board YO:Durham has created a citizen advisory board made up of community members who embrace YO:Durham's mission and programs. This advisory board provides vasluable assistance and guidance. Members of the Advisory Council are: Rick Adams, John Atkins, MaryAnn Black, Ruth Dzau, Bonnie Gordon, Gerard Hall, Haywood Holderness, Bob Kaynor, Art Pappas, Harry Reynolds, Miguel Rubiera, James Speed, Casey Steinbacher, Pamela Sutton-Wallace, Steve Tolar, and Chuck Wilson.
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Empowering our Youth — |
 A DCIA Initiative |
YO:Durham |
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