BY KARISSA MILLER
Four days a week, summer intern JaNavya Frances walks into the Bentley Community Center around 8 a.m. ready to start the work day.
The youngest member of the staff, Frances enjoys greeting and playing with the children before they eat their breakfast.
“She’s pretty energetic. She loves working with the younger kids. That’s her passion. She has patience with our younger girls,” said Teresa Henry, her supervisor and assistant director.
JaNavya, 14, is part of I-CARE’s pilot summer youth program. The nonprofit has teamed up with local businesses and other nonprofits in the area to give teenagers a way to earn a paycheck and gain valuable experiences.
“The focus for this program is 14 to 15-year-olds. In addition to the work experience, they participate in weekly soft skill sessions, financial literacy and leadership training,” said Shelton Moore, I-CARE Family Support Services director.
The leadership topics include effective communication, team work, conflict resolution and more.
JaNavya, who is in the International Baccalaureate program at Statesville High School, said if she wasn’t working she would be sitting at home. Her strengths as a leader are her positive attitude and ability to take initiative, lending a helping hand with whatever needs to be done.
“I’ve learned how to budget and a lot about leadership and how to work as a team. It’s made me more mature,” she said.
Intern Keithin Erwin, 14, is breaking out of his comfort zone as an intern at Piedmont Mediation. He sees himself as an authentic leader.
“I’ve known Keithin a year and he’s very quiet, but has been very talkative this summer. He’s found his niche,” Teen Restorative Justice coordinator and mentor Sandra Donawa said.
Keithin gets the mail each day, has learned how to do some filing, attends lunch-and-learn events and has been a part of some restorative training events.
Donawa explained that sometimes the dress code is flexible, but that Keithin is always dressed appropriately and professionally.
“I’ve enjoyed getting out more. I’m meeting new people and learning new things,” the teen said.
He also helps out with the “Feed and Seed” summer camp in Mooresville and visited some middle schools.
Intern Santario White, 14, has made a meaningful connection at the Statesville Fitness Center with facility supervisor H Patton and also loves what he’s doing.
“I’ve learned responsibility, how to talk to people and like meeting new people,” Santario explained.
He helps answer the phone and assists with the summer camp program that runs Monday through Friday. He believes he is being a good role model to the kids there.
Patton wholeheartedly agrees.
“When it comes to kids looking up to him, kids feel more comfortable talking to him, more so than adults. They look to Santario for how to act,” Patton said. “He brings a lot of charisma. He always has a good attitude and personality is a lot of it.”
The program is funded by Community Services Block Grant and Iredell County Community Foundation and community partnerships, which has allowed I-CARE to have a successful pilot 2024 Summer Youth Program.
Workshop facilitator Comfort Killzzz Inc. has focused on financial literacy, leadership, communication skills, teamwork and accountability.
Moore said that he has witnessed the students’ enthusiasm and the pride that they have in working to earn money as they have grown.
“I think the last few weeks have been a success. Youth have been productive attending sessions, working and learning transferable skills,” Moore said.
The internship program, which launched on June 10, runs through July 12.
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