A Syracuse program to help kids in school and in their futures is getting a big helping hand this year. The Chase Corporate Challenge this June will give proceeds to Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection.
Hillside Executive Director Wayne O’Connor explains the middle and high school kids who keep up in the program can start to gain job skills .
“They all want jobs. These are not lazy children, contrary to the stereotype of urban youth, just the opposite. These are young people who want to work, often need to work and we have a triple “A” system. If you have excellent attendance, attitude and achievement then we will get you a job.”
He says they partner with Wegman's, Rite Aid, Upstate, the zoo and elsewhere to get kids jobs. It’s part of what O’ Connor describes as giving them a positive sense of future. That can start with after school help and activities, right up to college prep. Henninger High Senior Capri Miller got involved in seventh grade…and is now planning on learning to be a dental assistant.
“I just decided to do it, because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. They were on us about college and stuff, and our essays and applications and asking us what we wanted to do.”
Capri says her job has built more responsibility, and independence. She credits the program for keeping her on track to graduate. O’Connor says the Hillside program works with 960 students in five high schools and four middle schools. He’s expecting great exposure from the Corporate Challenge award – ion addition to the financial help it will bring.
UPCOMING FUNDRAISER FOR WORK SCHOLARSHIP CONNECTION
Carla Hall, Co-Host of “The Chew” Television Show, Coming to Syracuse for Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection’s “Taste of Success Celebrity Chef Challenge”, May 1st from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the SRC Arena & Events Center at Onondaga Community College.