SAVANNAH, GA – Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., in partnership with online career company Monster and the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, has launched an education initiative for area ninth-graders.
The Student Leadership Program (SLP) aims to increase opportunities available to Savannah freshmen by improving their grades, equipping them with tangible skills and encouraging them to seek out leadership positions in their schools and in the community.
Gulfstream is encouraging companies in the Chatham County area to participate in the program by providing volunteers to assist with the kickoff, serve as advisers and publicize the initiative within their social and professional networks.
The leadership program is based on a similar one Monster conducts for college students. Gulfstream, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has launched the high-school version because perceived challenges in the Chatham County Public School System have resulted in difficulties recruiting new hires to the local area.
“We appreciate the challenges facing Chatham County and we want to help,” says Jennifer Giffen Vadersen, vice president, Human Resources, Gulfstream. “Improving the educational opportunities for area youth benefits the community in so many ways. As corporate citizens in Chatham County, we are committed to this program and we believe other businesses should be, too.”
The program kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 15, when 220 high-school freshmen are expected to attend a daylong leadership session featuring Stedman Graham, celebrity author of Teens Can Make It Happen. Graham will guide students through the nine steps intended to give them the tools necessary to achieve personal, social and career success.
Following that event, students are expected to participate in leadership Clubs at their schools. During monthly club meetings, community advisers will work with the students to enhance their leadership skills and ensure they are following the roadmap they created during the kickoff.
Businesses interested in participating in the program should contact Beth at (912) 965-3475.
