Business Supports Education in Georgia

Exploring Two Programs

EMPOWER Entrepreneurial Summer Program
Shirley Franklin, Mayor of the Atlanta, launched the Mayor’s Youth Program in 2005. Opportunities for students in the Atlanta Public School system and children of Atlanta City workers. High School Seniors in the program receive assistance and advice about college options and preparation for paid summer internships in the Metro Atlanta area. By adopting High School Seniors in this outreach initiative, the Mayor encourages high school graduation and plan to bridge the transition from high school to next stage in a student’s live whether that is post-secondary education or entry into the world of work.

Mayor Franklin’s program receives administrative assistance from the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) in the form of Education Development Services, Career Development Services, Saturdays with the Mayor and Cyber Centers.

The Mayor’s Youth Program, and AWDA join Colgate-Palmolive, Kroger and Atlanta Technical College to launch EMPOWER, an entrepreneurial Summer Program for 25 high school seniors selected from the Mayor’s Program. EMPOWER stands for "Entrepreneurial Mentoring Preparing Our World Through Education". Participants will have a 6-week experience of classes, internships and field experiences designed to help them develop the confidence and skills needed to start their own business.
For more information on the EMPOWER program in Atlanta and Baltimore, contact Amy Fernandez, amy_fernandez@cohnwolfe.com

Community Coaches
Gov. Perdue challenged Georgia’s Business Community to support education throughout the state. The Georgia Department of Education (DOE) and Communities in Schools (CIS) collaborated in 2007 to create Community Coaches in response to the Governor’s challenge. Business leaders across the state have volunteered to support Graduation Coaches and to bring the business community into the schools.
For more information on Community and Graduation Coaches, contact Tom Roman, troman@cisgeorgia.org