The CMW program includes a comprehensive after-school component combined with a Summer Intensive using an intentional, prosocial approach that engages high-school students (and some who have dropped out of school) in a process that encourages connection and community through work and academics. It is a strength-based approach that promotes positive outcomes for all program participants.
CMW will hire 200 high-school aged youth (10th – 12 th grade) in each of the three pilot locations – Boston, MA., Atlanta, GA., and Greater Hartford, CT. The program will be expanding to North Carolina and then nationally the following year based on data received in the pilot phase.
Program details are as follows:
CMW is carefully crafted around five (5) specific components: employment/entrepreneurship, education, community, connection, and finance.
The orientation phase takes place in two parts:
(1) Educators/Program Staff – CMW will hire 60 high- school educators from each local community. Program staff will participate in a 2-day orientation that covers program specifics, small group management and expectations. Each staff member will be responsible to manage their own small group of students throughout the process (1:10 ratio).
(2) Students will participate in an application and interview process prior to approval to participate in the program. The application process will include a review of current grades and goals.
Students accepted into the program will attend a mandatory 2-day (12 hour) orientation session. Day 1 will be facilitated by the site team leader and will include an overview of the program, expectations, educational requirements, dress code and team building activities.
Day 2 will be facilitated in peer groups by the teachers/staff. These interactive sessions will include goal setting, agreements, program Q&A, attendance, and work assignments.
The entire CMW experience is centered around employment, education and entrepreneurship. Each student will be placed in employment for 35 hours per week during the summer intensive. Monday through Thursdays are designated workdays (in their employment assignments), 7-hour days; Fridays are set aside for enhanced learning opportunities.
The after-school component will focus on developing employment related soft-skills, building community, introducing participants to community leaders, entrepreneurs, and role models, while also incorporating tutoring services for students with academic challenges. Teachers/mentors will monitor individual academic performance and every attempt will be made to ensure that the work experience is a satisfying personal growth opportunity for each student that aligns with their career goals.
CMW has an established network of companies (including construction, culinary, social service and staffing agencies) that are willing to provide employment slots. There is no cost to the company that accepts a placement. They are expected to stand
in the role of workplace mentors…providing real-world work experience, support and skill development for the participants.
Freedom Fridays — are designated to further the learning received on job sites. Additional workshops will include interview skills, resume writing, communication skills, dealing with difficult people, financial management, banking and savings.
Fridays are pay days — managed through a paperless payroll system – each student will set up a bank account with a debit card through our banking provider.
When payroll is issued each week, $100 p/person will be deducted weekly and depositied into an escrow account. Each student will leave the program with the $800 they have saved during the summer intensive. Students may access their pay through their debit cards.
Program participants will be expected to participate in managing the on-site entrepreneurial venture. DFP provides vital food support services for local college students who have chosen to remain on campus, or in the area during the summer and do not have access to some college food service programs. This is managed through rechargeable credit cards that are distributed to students.
CMW students will learn valuable skills while managing the intake and assessment process, procurement, service delivery, evaluation, marketing, and financial components.
For youth to feel empowered they must actually be empowered to make choices about things that affect them. CMW. is committed to encouraging leadership while improving decision-making skills amongst youth participants. We believe in their ability to participate fully in designing, delivering, and evaluating programs and services. This core value is built into every phase of the program. This is a key component of how CMW will foster healthy relationships and develop productive, responsible citizens, by encouraging connection, not only to themselves, or their peers, but also to the community in which they live.
Empowering youth to identify and respond to community needs helps them become empathetic, reflective individuals.
Weekly Community Service projects are planned, including visiting local nursing homes, senior centers and serving meals at a homeless center.
There will be one community focused guest each week to discuss issues like substance abuse, health, youth services and housing.
CMW will operate a fully-functioning technology lab that will be the location for engaging in financial empowerment sessions.
Young people often learn about money informally through socialization, such as observing and listening to their caregivers, influential adults, and peers. It is widely understood that, particularly in the inner cities, many youth have not received either formal or informal guidance on financial matters. So, they may not be ready to make sound financial choices.
CMW will provide education in this area with a combination of hands-on skill development (like opening bank accounts and visiting the bank), guest speakers (entrepreneurs, finance experts) and video presentations. This will increase knowledge in the areas of banking, savings and investment strategies, credit use, interest rates, and predatory lending. Developing sound financial knowledge, skills, and habits is an important stepping-stone on young people’s path to adult financial well-being and economic empowerment.
A survey of 15-year-olds in the United States found that 18 percent of respondents did not learn fundamental financial skills that are often applied in everyday situations, such as building a simple budget, comparison shopping, and understanding an invoice.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2015.
