Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 8-19-16 Online Edition

Local
WellCare, Derrick Brooks Charities, Inc. And City Of Tampa's Parks & Rec Department Host Training For Teens
Sixteen Tampa-area teens went back to school this month with valuable professional de- velopment training thanks to three local organizations. A WellCare Health Plans, Inc., (NYSE: WCG), in collaboration with Derrick Brooks Charities, Inc. and the City of Tampa's Parks & Recreation Department, hosted a five-week "Youth Pro- fessional Development and Training Program" in an effort to better prepare area teens for successful careers in school and in the workplace.
Beginning July 8, teens ages 14–17 participated in weekly, two-hour courses taught by WellCare volunteers that cov- ered topics including resume de- velopment; interviewing skills; business communications; and budgeting and saving.
"We work hard to provide teens with a place to be safe, ac- tive and healthy, especially dur- ing the summer months when kids are out of school," said Hope Kiriisa, Springhill Park Community Center community outreach coordinator and pro- gram coordinator. "Programs and educational events like those hosted by WellCare and Derrick Brooks Charities are critical to help our kids prepare for the future."
Following the first class on
Teens who participated in the summer program are shown with WellCare CEO, Ken Burdick: Lanasha Baker, Felecia Belcher, Nigeema Boone, Dontavious Hodge, Shaina Conley, Briana Holloway, Anthony D. Kirnes, Devin Johnson, Allysia Holmes, Terrianna Kirnes, Jazmine Underwood, Samonie Simmons, Raejean Lovett, James Williams, Malik Watson and Karanishia Watson.
"Partnering with local govern- ment agencies like the parks de- partment and companies like WellCare is an essential way to give our young people every op- portunity to succeed."
On August 1, program par- ticipants toured WellCare's headquarters in Tampa and re- ceived certificates of completion during a luncheon and awards ceremony. The teens also re- ceived back packs filled with back-to-school clothes and school supplies donated by WellCare employees as well as gift cards donated by Derrick Brooks Charities, Inc.
"It was a privilege to partner with Derrick Brooks Charities and the City of Tampa's Parks & Recreation Department to cre- ate a learning experience that gives young people the practical career advice they need to confi- dently enter the workforce," said Ken Burdick, CEO of Well- Care. "Because education and income impact health, efforts like this can also have far-reach- ing positive effects that go be- yond the workplace."
The program was open to teens who live in and around the Sulphur Springs neighborhood in Tampa and who participate in programming hosted by Derrick Brooks Charities and the Parks & Recreation Department.
Samonie Simmons used the resume’ skills she learned to secure a job.
resume-building, 16-year-old Samonie Simmons, a rising junior at Tampa’s Chamberlain High School, wrote her first re- sume and applied for a job. Simmons, who applied her new skills during an interview,
Former FSU and Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Derrick Brooks, pres- ident and CEO of Derrick Brooks Charities taught a class.
got the job and will be working part-time during the school year.
"Stories like this make everything we do worthwhile," said former NFL football player Derrick Brooks, who is presi-
dent of Derrick Brooks Chari- ties, Inc., a nonprofit whose mis- sion is to provide educational opportunities that inspire young people and give them every chance to develop into strong, productive leaders of tomorrow.
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