Shout Outs!
When it comes to real-world skills, there’s no substitute for real work experience. Employers who partner with YouthForce NOLA make that possible. That’s why we’d like to give a BIG shout out to Dr. Jeffrey Gimble and his team at LaCell for going above and beyond. LaCell, a stem cell research company based out of the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, has hosted a YouthForce Intern each summer for the past three years. Their most recent intern, Shalion Smith, has stayed on, working after school throughout the year. And Dr. Gimble plans to keep her employed while she is enrolled at Xavier University starting this fall. In addition to real-world experience, the team at LaCell offers academic assistance to interns, helping them practice for the ACTs and apply to colleges.
Dr. Gimble says that the YouthForce interns and alumni are “highly-motivated, task oriented, responsible, and have clearly benefited from soft skills training.”
“We like the program and are happy to be a part of it. I have been impressed with the level of oversight- with coaches coming on site to check in on the students progress. YouthForce NOLA is clearly changing the paradigm,” he said.
Dr. Gimble was at the YouthForce Internship Meet and Greet this week with other employers where they engaged with students, answered their questions, and helped inform which career pathway they’ll choose.
If you would like to join Dr. Gimble and other local employers to host a YouthForce Intern, please send an email to Melissa Ehlinger.
Shout Out: Bloomberg Philanthropies
We’d like to give a big shout out to Bloomberg Philanthropies for partnering with YouthForce NOLA, and many other student-focused organizations and initiatives nationally and internationally, to ensure all students succeed. Learn more about our career education work and effort to drive student success in their 2018 Annual Report.
Shout Out: Lucid
In addition to being a partner since the start and hosting interns each summer, Lucid recently held a company-wide drive for professional clothing for YouthForce interns to wear at their jobs this summer.
Shout Out: Dickie Brennan & Co.
Dickie Brennan & Co. recently hosted our Shine & Dine events at the Bourbon House and Palace Cafe. The luncheons brought together interns and professionals, providing opportunities for students to practice soft skills and build their networks.
