June 10, 2024
BofA partners with Workforce Alliance of South-Central Kansas
to support Wichita youth
Bank invests $30,000 into the organization’s Youth Employment Project, in support of Camp HYPE
WICHITA, KS – Bank of America is supporting the Workforce Alliance of South-Central Kansas’ Youth Employment Project (YEP) for the eighth consecutive year. This year, Bank of America has awarded a grant of $30,000 to assist young professionals in finding their first job or work experience opportunity. Since 2017, the bank has provided $340,000 in grants to the Workforce Alliance of South-Central Kansas (WA) to ensure that area youth are workforce-ready. Services offered through YEP include assistance in resume creation, job search, and interview preparation, as well as education in soft skills, customer service, and money management. YEP is a collaborative program that works with a wide array of community businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
“As Bank of America consistently seeks ways to serve Wichita, we’re proud of the longstanding partnership with Workforce Alliance and are eager to continue to support programs such as YEP. Employers inevitably benefit from an ever-evolving workforce, and YEP ultimately helps diversify the skillsets available among the young people in our community,” said Shawn Lancelot, President, Bank of America Wichita.
As part of its services, YEP holds a series of free 4-day summer camps – Camp HYPE (Helping Youth Prepare for Employment) – where youth ranging from ages 14 to 18 learn firsthand about career fields they may be interested in. Each camp is sponsored by a different industry or business, and those who participate are paid a stipend of $200 at the end of the program for their punctuality, attendance, and participation.
“When young people are connected to employment and real-world workforce experiences, they earn a paycheck, learn how to navigate the professional world, and gain many other valuable skills, experiences and perspectives. Programs like YEP and Camp HYPE can make all the difference in the lives of youth who don’t have access to the resources or opportunities to navigate the workforce confidently,” said Keith Lawing, Workforce Alliance of South-Central Kansas President and CEO. “Thank you to Bank of America for its continued support.”
After participating in YEP, many individuals can find jobs independently, or by attending a YEP job fair. Since 2017, the Workforce Alliance has served over 20,000 youth, resulting in more than 8,000 jobs through YEP with Bank of America’s support.
This year, 10 four-day workshops will be held through Camp HYPE, with focus areas ranging from financial services to healthcare. More information can be found on the Workforce Alliance’s website.
Read the KSN article at: Free Camp HYPE helps teens land their first job (ksn.com)
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