Skip Nav
United Way of McLean County
Donate

Summer H.E.A.T.

A workforce development solution connecting teens and local businesses.

TEENS GET EARLY EXPOSURE TO H.E.A.T.-BASED CAREERS

Many young people have trouble finding self-sufficiency and professional stability because they haven't had opportunities to explore suitable local career paths.   

 

Our Workforce180 solution has successfully helped hunderds of young people overcome barriers. But we've long wondered if early exposure for teens would give them a jump forward.

 

So we launched Summer H.E.A.T., an internship initiative for local high school students. Each student is placed with a local business in the H.E.A.T. sector for nine weeks of employment and a professional development series.

 

Summer H.E.A.T. is inspired by and builds on work already established with BN STEM’s H.E.A.T. Academy, providing students with educational experiences during the typical school year in Health, Engineering, Agri-Business, and Technology.

 

Our vision was a summer internship that invests in teens and connects them to H.E.A.T.–based careers (expanded to include the Hospitality and Education sectors). Earlier this year, we began hosting conversations with community leaders to design the internship structure and initiate a small pilot group for 2024.

Let's Open Career Pathways for Teens in McLean County

HOW IT WORKS

 

Your support through United Way plays a vital role in this innovative solution for area high school students. 

 

This year’s pilot has 12 students (primarily from LeRoy and Olympia, with 1 from Normal) and 3 participating businesses: Little Jewels Learning Center (Education), Rob Dob’s Restaurant & Bar (Hospitality), and Westminster Village (Healthcare).

 

Students are in cohorts of four led by a local teacher serving as internship liaisons: Sarah Palermo (Little Jewels group), Kitty Belsly (Rob Dob’s group) and Tammy Barba (Westminster Village group).

 

Additionally, Rebecca Henderson (SMARTpath) will facilitate essential skills training and work with United Way staff to provide additional career exploration and development for the students.

 

Learning and reflection are built into the experience to enhance the effectiveness of the internship. Students will complete self-evaluations (beginning, mid-point, and ending), and the employers and teacher liaisons will assess and evaluate the students’ essential skills growth and workplace effectiveness. We also have some fun activities and team building exercises planned. When the summer experience wraps, we’ll host a celebration luncheon for all involved.

MEASURING 180-DEGREE CHANGE

SUMMER H.E.A.T. CONNECTS TEENS & BUSINESSES

 

Launched in 2024, the internship provides students with early-career exposure, paid summer employment, and professional development. And it provides local businesses with summer staffing and the opportunity to invest in the next generation of our local workforce.

 

0

high school students

0

local businesses

0 +

hours of summer staffing

You can help even more TEENS in McLean County GAIN EARLY CAREER EXPERIENCE.

 

PARTNER WITH US TODAY

 

Make a Donation

Donate Now