| Our Community's Foundation-Parkersburg Area Community Foundation &
Regional Affiliates (PACF) encourages students and employers to apply
online now to its summer 2014 Civic Leaders Fellowship Program.
Participation is open to college-aged students and employers (nonprofit
organizations, government agencies and businesses) in PACF's service
region counties: Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Mason, Pleasants,
Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and Wood in West Virginia, and Washington County,
Ohio.
Applications and guidelines for students and employers are under the
Grants tab on its website, www.pacfwv.com; the new applicant deadline is
Feb. 28th.
PACF introduced the Fellowship to improve access to employment for area
students and develop civic leadership capacity and interest.
Participation
has increased annually. In 2012, from Monday-Thursday for seven weeks, 14
college-age students held career-related internships, gathering on Fridays
at the Foundation's headquarters for a program of personal, business and
civic development. In 2013, with 24 students employed, second year
students participated in a new Friday program with teams visiting and
evaluating Foundation grant sites, and making mini-grants at the program's
conclusion. In 2014, PACF will employ up to 32 students.
A 2013 participant wrote, "Because of this program, I'm now more aware of
job opportunities. I've been able to network with area business leaders
and establish myself as a determined and reliable employee. Not only has
the Foundation shown me what jobs could be available to me, but through
professional development training sessions, they've provided me with the
tools necessary to succeed in these positions."
Fellowships are supported by numerous public and private funders with
major grants from the Benedum and McDonough Foundations. Students receive
interest-related paid summer jobs in their hometowns, and an opportunity
to build networks and skills toward post-graduation employment. Local
employers-nonprofits, businesses and government-receive a summer intern at
no cost except supervision in exchange for willingness to provide a
meaningful experience. Students must have successfully completed at least
the first semester of their freshman college year to apply.
A sampling of work placements includes: Camden Clark Memorial Hospital,
Parkersburg Boys and Girls Club, Artsbridge, HealthSouth, Downtown PKB,
YMCA, Parkersburg Art Center, Kayser Layne & Clark, Arc of the Mid-Ohio
Valley, Wood County Library, Marietta Community Foundation, Roane General
Hospital, WVU Extension-Jackson County, WV Forestry Association, Pleasant
Valley Hospital, Ritchie County EDA, City of Parkersburg, Hyer &
Littlepage, SDR Plastics, River Valley Health & Wellness, and Vienna
Public Library to name a few. Professional Services of America contributes
to the project as the contract employer.
Foundation Executive Director, Judy Sjostedt said, "The Civic Leaders
Fellowship is a deliberate effort to engage and retain our educated youth.
The project's scope is much larger than PACF alone can undertake. We
deeply appreciate the gifts of time, talent and resources given toward
this program, from those who actively fund it; to employers who offer
meaningful work; to those who give of their time on our advisory panel or
in providing training for students. The out-migration of our educated
youth is something our communities can and should do something about.
"I
urge others to work with us. If you're willing to be a funder and/or if
you can provide a work experience, we'd love to talk with you, said Sjostedt"
Sjostedt
encourages interested potential funders or employers to contact Jim
Strader, Program Director 304-482-7651 or email Jim@digitalrelativity.com
or herself at 304-428-4438 Or email JudyS@pacfwv.com Â
A video on the pacfwv YouTube
channel showcases the program.
|
