Growing Detroit's Young Talent
TROY (WWJ) - It's a mission to invest in young people in Detroit and all of southeast Michigan.
Nearly 100 business and community leaders attended a Breakfast of Champions at the Bank of America headquarters in Troy Monday morning in support of the 2011 campaign to Grow Detroit's Young Talent.
Compuware owner Peter Karmanos, whose company will support 30 young workers this year, said a first job is "very, very important. In addition to working at the company, Karmanos said he is expanding the program at Compuware so young people will also receive help writing a resume and interviewing.
"Compuware has gotten top notch developers and sales people through this program," Karmanos said.
Bank of America is providing a $200,000 grant to the program.
"Give a job or give money for a job... and be a part of changing lives," Bank of America Michigan president Kieth Cockrell said.
Carol Goss from the Skillman Foundation said the best way to prevent youth violence is to put young people to work.
Some new groups that have joined the effort this year include Open Society Foundation, Chase Foundation, Kellogg Foundation and Walmart Foundation.
Bianca Bailey, who has a participant in the Grow Detroit's Young Talent program told the group they "are changing lives."
Bailey said the program has a number of benefits including how to be punctual.
This year's goal is to put 1,000 young people to work.
To provide a summer job or make a financial contribution to the program you can call (313) 887-6508.
