ASBURY PARK, NJ – December 12, 2014 – Thanks to generous funding from Bank of America, teenagers at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County (BGCM) are getting a comprehensive education in job readiness and career exploration.
CareerLaunch is an initiative that helps teens understand the connection between educational success and career success, explore career possibilities, develop career pathways, gain work experience, and prepare for college or trade school after high school graduation. CareerLaunch students participate in small group sessions that include experiential activities, demonstrations, role-playing, and practice sessions.
As part of this year’s program, a professional banker in the Asbury Park community led a “Banking 101” workshop for BGCM junior staff members. Topics of discussion included the importance of having a bank account, how to balance a check book, how to fill out a deposit slip, and how to properly write out a check.
Teens from BGCM also had the chance to attend “Camp Old Navy,” getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the retail industry to gain customer service experience. Team members from the Gap (pictured above) came to the Club to speak about career opportunities, conduct mock job interviews, and provide guidance on resume writing. Gap team members are also helping BGCM launch its very own Club store, teaching teens about profit and loss, inventory, and customer service.
BGCM hopes to implement the CareerLaunch program every summer. For information, please contact Stephanie D’Alessio 732-775-7862 or stephanie@bcgmonmouth.org.
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