Changing lives one young adult at a time. That's the mission of a new "Success By Choice" initiative being launched by the Pinellas County Urban League's 2020 initiative.
The mission is to get more young adults in South St. Pete into high paying jobs.
The Urban League has a hefty goal: to get 500 young adults hired this year, and at least 1,000 into stable employment by 2020. The goal is to help young adults gear up for careers and helping them land opportunities that pay well and offer good benefits.
The program is helping students like Daisha Garner who grew up watched her mom struggle from one low income job to the next and try desperately to support her family.
“We’ve had issues with low paying jobs. My mom wants to see me excel,” she explained with a smile.
Thursday she heard something that resonated with her. “They told us 'You can do this.'” A simple message, that goes a long way for an 18-year-old who will be first in her family to go to college.
Rene Flowers, of Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, is serving as a role model to students. “Role models aren’t just in the NBA and the NFL. Role models are right there in your community,” she explained.
Role models like Flowers are spreading an important message: hope.
Leonte Tukes, age 17, added, “A lot of times we just see what we see now, but we don’t see what’s in the end.”
100 people between ages 16 and 24 are getting big opportunities. The “Sucess By Choice” program is a one-day expo that gives young adults the skills they need to succeed and many of the kids are getting job offers on the spot. The young adults even get a $100 check at the end of the day to show their time is valuable.
The urban league is looking for more young adults to help and employers with openings. To get involved, contact Deborah Figgs-Sanders at 727-420-2819.
