2013-2014 Annual Review

Youth Initiatives
2013 Annual Review
Exploring College
Experiencing Careers
Ready to Work
Raising the Grade
Nurturing Innovation
Inspiring Entrepreneurs
Developing Skills
Going Beyond the
“Job”
Financially Savvy
<<< Swipe Left to Unlock
Out of the Job Box
Throughout the 2013 Program Year,
Opportunity Inc. Youth Initiatives continued
on its journey to revolutionize youth
programming by shifting the traditional
workforce development focus from
workplace readiness to workplace
innovation. With a focus on STEM (science,
technology, engineering, math) as well as
entrepreneurialism, this report explores the
imaginative efforts made by our year round
youth programs and the Youth Career Center
to engage youth in immersive activities such
as dual enrollment courses, paid
paraprofessional internships and hands-on
practical experiences. As you turn the
pages, please feel free to scan the QR codes
to witness our programs in action. Through
these programs, Opportunity Inc. has begun
crafting a future workforce that isn't only
ready for the careers of tomorrow, but also
ready for a career today.
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At a Glance:
Nearly 18,000 community
connections were made.
233 youth gained over
27,000 hours of work
experience.
Over 100 youth
developed business
plans.
Over 500 youth learned
financial literacy skills.
Over 1,200 people
attended the annual
Teen Summer
Opportunity Fair on
March 6, 2014.
Y
Year Round Programs
Program Year
2013
Total Programs Funded
11
Total Youth Served
489
Total Investment
$1,815,452
Understanding that each community within Hampton Roads has unique
challenges in stimulating economic development and fostering workforce
innovation, Opportunity Inc. partners with school systems, post-secondary
institutions and community agencies to provide innovative Workforce
Investment Act funded career immersion, job preparation and financial
literacy programs for youth ages 14-21 residing in Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of
Wight County, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Southampton County, Suffolk and Virginia
Beach.
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Y
Youth Career Center
Program Year
2013
Total Connections Made
17,303
Total Youth Served
12,074
Total Programs Offered
Over 100
Total Hours Industry Professionals Donated
to Youth Career Center of Hampton Roads
Over 2,500
From young entrepreneurs dreaming up their own businesses, to future
engineers touring construction sites, to young first responders teaming up
with local police, fire and rescue professionals, to Hollywood hopefuls
filming their own short film, teens at the Youth Career Center of Hampton
Roads (YCCHR) had a busy year.
Industry professionals donated over 2,500 hours of their time to guiding the
next generation of industry leaders through immersion opportunities in their
fields of expertise. Additionally, the YCCHR expanded its programming to
serve homeschooled youth in a year long, weekly course through a
partnership with the Renaissance School of the Arts in Suffolk.
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Ok Opp Inc:
Which Career is for Me?
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This year’s programs fostered the
competitive spirits in our youth which
included involvement in business
development, the stock market,
robotics and iBook challenges where
they had the opportunity to try on
careers in the most meaningful ways
possible.
Practical experiences didn’t stop there.
They also had the opportunity to learn
physics and engineering by creating
Rube Goldberg machines, learned about
developing artificial intelligence, learned
to write HTML codes and plan for
retirement.
Activities were delivered at over two
dozen locations in the community
ranging from school classrooms to
Scan Here to experience
community centers providing
programs offered by the
experiences for more than 12,500 youth. YCCHR since opening in
Sept. 2010:
“It’s just amazing how being confident
in yourself can help you get what you
want,” 17-year-old Myles Downing said
after attending the 2nd Annual Teen
Summer Opportunity Fair. Less than an
hour after the event started, he was
hired on-the-spot by Jersey Mike’s Subs.
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Nurturing Innovation
Students in the NSU-STEP
Program experienced the
world of applied science first
hand while engaging in
faculty-led research. 2013 took
them to the sand dunes of
North Carolina to fight erosion.
Students in Virginia
Beach participated in
the 2nd Annual iBook
entrepreneurship
camp.
Spring 2014 saw a programwide business competition
taught by volunteers from
Junior Achievement. Students
crafted their ideal business
plans before facing the
judges. A STEM-themed gym
and a picture based mobile
encyclopedia topped the
winner’s list.
Future film makers
launched red carpet
dreams while filming a
movie at the Youth
Career Center this year.
More >
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< Back
Going Beyond the “Job”
Job shadowing opportunities
took youth behind the scenes
in some of the fastest growing
industries.
Over 25 teens led the
rescue efforts during a
simulated mass
casualty exercise at
the Youth Career
Center.
Opportunity Inc., in partnership with
the Peninsula Council for Workforce
Development, lead over 45 teachers
and guidance counselors on tours of
local medical centers while learning
about the career opportunities in the
healthcare field.
Additionally, over a dozen teachers
learned how to use Mechatronics
software in the classroom.
Hands on opportunities produce
career ready professionals
Practical hands on experiences where youth have
the opportunity to undertake a day in the life of
diverse careers and connect to current
professionals is key to sparking interest and
developing a pipeline of highly qualified talent to
enter the workforce. This year more than 200 youth
engaged in internships and work experiences
related to fields of interest, earning almost
$200,000. Further, over 80 youth explored
laboratories, technological advances and the
environment. Over 100 youth developed business
plans and over 500 youth learned financial
management skills through a multitude of career
immersion camps. Firewalls, web hosting, stocks,
iBook, 3d replicator and robotics were terms our
youth became intimately familiar with during the
program year. Travels took them to NASA, Metro
Richmond Zoo, the Petersburg National Battlefield,
Washington D.C. and much more on their pursuit of
knowledge of career options.
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A Taste of College
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Programs gave youth a “taste” of
college life this year as they bridged the
gap between high school and postsecondary education. Students took it
to the road visiting campuses such as
Tidewater Community College, Norfolk
State University, Old Dominion University,
Paul D. Camp Community College,
Christopher Newport University, Virginia
Union University and Tidewater Tech.
Norfolk State University hosted 54 students for a
one week residency during the summer coupled
with on-campus internships to allow participants
to get a true understanding of the preparation
needed to be successful college students.
Stepping onto a college campus opened
participants’ eyes to a wealth of opportunities.
Programs also brought knowledge back to the classroom through dual enrollment
courses. More than 40 youth participated in educational enhancement activities in
STEM fields, such as nano technology, robotics, chemistry, biology and electrical
engineering, where they earned as many as 3 college level credits. “The STEM
program really gave me a glimpse of college academics through the STEM college
classes I was enrolled in,” says Myesha Jemison. “I thank Opportunity Inc. for this
chance to spread my wings.”
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Making Cents
Over 500 youth in
our many
programs “made
cents” in more
ways than one this
year. They solved
identity theft crimes
on a life-sized
game board
during our “Get a
Clue Before
Identify Theft Gets
You" program in
July.
While participating in the annual Get Smart
About Credit Month in October, our youth
took to the web to educate their peers by
sharing 31 Tips for 31 Days on Facebook.
November saw them competing
in the annual Junior Achievement
Stock Market Challenge.
In December, they put their tips to
the test cooking on a tight budget
for families at the Ronald McDonald
House in Norfolk.
With help from our volunteers from
TowneBank, Wells Fargo, SunTrust
and Junior Achievement our youth
spent the Spring season developing
solid plans of action for managing
their money and paying for postsecondary education.
YouTube provided the
venue for airing
important tips like asking
for a student discount:
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Our Program Partners
Youth Program Name
Program Operator
Population
Served
Bridge Program
Paul D. Camp Community
College
Out-of-School
Ages 18-21
Franklin, Isle of Wight
County, Southampton
County, Suffolk
Emerging Scholars Program
Paul D. Camp Community
College
In-School
Ages 16-18
Franklin, Isle of Wight,
County Southampton
County, Suffolk
Foundations Transition
Program
Virginia Beach
Adult Learning Center
Out-of-School
Ages 18-21
Virignia Beach
Pathways to Success Program
Southampton County Public
Schools
In-School
Ages 16-18
Southampton County
Building Trades Academy Inc.
Out-of-School
Ages 18-21
South Hampton Roads
Urban League of Hampton
Roads Inc.
In-School
Ages 16-18
Portsmouth
Project Launch
Old Dominion UniversityVirginia Modeling, Analysis and
Simulation Center (VMASC)
In-School
Ages 16-18
Portsmouth
The Pruden Center’s Youth
Program Services
Pruden Center for Industry and
Technology
In-School
Ages 16-18
Isle of Wight County,
Suffolk
Science, Technology,
Engineering & Math Program
Virginia Beach City Public
Schools
In-School
Ages 16-18
Virginia Beach
Science, Technology, Education
Preparation (STEP) Program
Norfolk State University
In-School
Ages 16-18
Norfolk
Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate
Training Program
Project Gear-Up!
Spartan Crusade For Academic
Success (SCAS) Program
Norfolk State University
Out-of-School
Ages 18-21
Locality Served
Norfolk
Our Financial Supporters
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Dr. David Stuckwisch
Superintendent
Portsmouth Public Schools
2013-2014
Opportunity Inc.
Board of Directors
Jeffrey Ainslie, President of Finance ,Operations and Sales, The Ainslie Group, Youth Council Chair
John Andrews, Special Assistant to City Manager, Department of Development, City of Norfolk
Elsie Barnes, Professor of Political Science, Norfolk State University
John E. Barrett III, CEO, Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center
William Bell, Vice President—Human Resources & Administration, Newport News Shipbuilding
Theresa Bryant, Vice President, Workforce Development, Tidewater Community College
Hosey Burgess, Norfolk/Portsmouth Manager, Virginia Employment Commission
Thomas Calhoun, President, Norfolk Federation of Teachers
John A. Canfield, Principal, Caroga Resources LLC
Andy Chapman, Plant Manager, Solenis LLC
Paul W. Conco, President, Paul D. Camp Community College
James P. Councill, III, Owner, Councill Financial Concepts
William W. Crow, President, Virginia Ship Repair Association
Cindy Curtis, Deputy City Manager, City of Virginia Beach
Richard Dean, Director—Human Resources & Training, Smithfield Packing Company
Joseph M. Donnelly, President, Donnelly Real Properties LLC
Larry Dotolo, President, Virginia Tidewater Consortium for Higher Education
Mark Dreyfus, President, ECPI University
Sande Dukas, CEO, Controls Corporation of America
David K. Edwards, President/COO, W R Systems, Ltd.
Stephen Fuschetti, President and CEO, Gannett Media Technologies International
Donald Goldberg, President, Goldberg Consulting LLC
Darryl W. Gosnell, President and CEO, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance
Ute Heidenreich, Esq., General Counsel, TowneBank, Board Chair
Kirk Houston, Sr., Chair, Norfolk School Board
Anthony Kearney, Manager – Portsmouth & Franklin Offices, Virginia Division of Rehabilitative Services
Clarissa McAdoo, Executive Director, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Carol McCormack, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of South Hampton Roads
Mary D. McGovern, Senior Vice President, Divaris Real Estate Inc.
Delceno C. Miles, President, The Miles Agency
BarBara Murphy, Project Director, AARP Foundation Senior Community Service Employment Program
William L. Nusbaum, Partner, Williams Mullen Law Firm, Board Vice Chair
Ron Ritter, President, On Point, LLC
Jacquelyn Scott, Director—Portsmouth Department of Social Services
Bryan K. Stephens, President and CEO, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
Edith White, President and CEO, Urban League of Hampton Roads Inc.
James Wofford, General Manager, MacArthur Center
Steven C. Wright, Director, Chesapeake Economic Development
Larry H. Young, President, Eastern Virginia Labor Federation/A.F.L.-C.I.O.
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2013-2014
Youth Council
Jeffrey Ainslie, President of Finance, Operations and Sales, The Ainslie Group, Chair
Elsie Barnes, Professor of Political Science, Norfolk State University, Vice Chair
Sean Beslow, Admissions Counselor, Virginia Job Corps
Barbara Brinson, Youth Coordinator, Youth Opportunities Office, City of Virginia Beach
Thomas Calhoun, President, Norfolk Federation of Teachers
Tammy Carlson, Human Resources Director, Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast
David Edwards, President/COO, W R Systems, Ltd.
Renee Ricks Felts, Interim Dean, Occupational & Technical Programs, Paul D. Camp Community College
Linda Filippi, Executive Director, Tidewater Youth Services Commission
Kim Garrett, Vice President/Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo Bank
Alice Jones, Director of Student and Alumni Programs, Old Dominion University
Pat Konopnicki, Director, Office of Technical & Career Education, Virginia Beach Schools
Corey McCray, Director, The Pruden Center for Industry & Technology
Mary McGovern, Senior Vice President, Divaris Real Estate, Inc.
Martha Razor, Early Childhood Specialist, WHRO
Aisha Sabur-Jarvis, FSS Program Coordinator, Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Janice Walton, Parent Representative
Kevin Will, President, Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads
Yvette V. Young, Vice President, Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc.
Get Involved Today
Are you ready to make a difference?
Community members can help us make a difference in the lives of the youth we
serve by volunteering as a mentor at one of our many programs or by financially
contributing to the Youth Career Center.
Youth Career Center of Hampton Roads
4554 Virginia Beach Blvd, Suite 990
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 233-8686
youthcareercenter@oihr.org
myyouthcareercenter.org
Scan, Click or Call today!
The cost of this report was paid 100% with Federal Workforce Investment Act Funds provided under a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor,
through the Commonwealth of Virginia, to Opportunity Inc. of Hampton Roads.
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