This summer, Peer Power launched its transformative Earn and Learn program, funded by a grant from the TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development Youth Employment Program (YEP).
Our mission? To equip young people with the tools they need to develop lucrative career pathways, not just short-term employment.
The program’s impact has been nothing short of remarkable (preliminary outcomes):
- 474 youth employed
- 165 offered permanent job placements post-program
- Employer Wage Savings to date: $1,086,345
- 57% from low-income backgrounds
- 41% gaining their first work experience
Youth aged 14-24 were exposed to diverse industries where opportunity youth and minorities are underrepresented. Education (33%) and Supply Chain & Logistics (13%) emerged as the top industries, with others ranging from Advanced Manufacturing to IT & Technology.
The impact on participants has been profound. One shared, “I am happy to have experienced this opportunity and I am excited to see where it takes me in life.” Another expressed, “I love what you guys are doing giving me a opportunity I thought I would never have.”
A college student participant reflected, “I am the first in my family to go to college so I never had any guidance in school. Earn and Learn helped me get into an internship with Aztec. Now I have been working there for the whole summer. This program allowed me to get an internship with Aztec Masonry as an assistant AP clerk. I was able to pick up on a lot of new skills and experiences such as communicating with coworkers, learning a new accounting program, and learning about the financial side of having a construction business.”
Our business partners also witnessed the program’s impact. One partner stated, “The program provided invaluable support to our mission at Innovative Behavior Services, helping us bridge the gap between education and employment for young individuals with unique challenges or from urban communities. Through this partnership, we’ve been able to witness firsthand the profound impact that structured internships and personalized mentorship can have on participants’ lives.”
Another partner shared, “Princeton James Project’s partnership with the Earn & Learn program was nothing short of a blessing. The program gave youth access to on the job training in film/TV and theater arts (a rare find in Shelby county).”
The Earn and Learn program is more than just summer employment; it’s a gateway to life-changing opportunities. By connecting underserved youth with quality work experiences and comprehensive training, we’re empowering them to reach their full potential and choose their own path to success.
As we reflect on this summer’s achievements, we’re excited to announce that work experience opportunities will continue into the fall for 167 youth and 11 business partners so far. This extension demonstrates the program’s ongoing impact and the commitment of our community partners. We hope to continue and expand this program in the future, recognizing its profound effect on our community. These initiatives don’t just build skills; they build futures, one young person at a time.