Student Success Jobs Program Receives National Afterschool Innovator Award from MetLife Foundation
MetLife Foundation and the Afterschool Alliance today
honored the Brigham and Women's Hospital's Student Success Jobs Program (SSJP) with
an Afterschool Innovator Award in recognition of the program's success in opening
the path to careers in health care, science and medicine for high school
students, through paid internships at the hospital. MetLife Managing Director David Murphy presented the Award
at a Lights On Afterschool event,
held at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
The organization received $5,000 to sustain its work.
"Despite the many benefits of afterschool programs, far too
many youth in middle and high
school do not have access to high quality programs during these critical
hours," said Dennis White, president of MetLife Foundation. "We are pleased to join the Afterschool
Alliance in recognizing the Student Success Jobs Program's exemplary model of
addressing the needs and interests of older youth, which helps put them on the
path to success."
The Student Success Jobs Program is one of only six
afterschool programs nationwide to be named an Afterschool Innovator. It was highlighted in an Issue
Brief on afterschool programs, part of a series developed by the Afterschool
Alliance with funding from MetLife Foundation, that examines critical issues
facing older youth, schools and communities, and the role that afterschool
programs play in addressing these issues. The brief focused on several critical
areas, including opening doors to work and careers, where SSJP was highlighted.
"These
students are talented, enthusiastic and serious about making a distinctive
contribution to the field of healthcare and science" said Michelle Keenan,
director of Community Programs at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "Brigham and
Women's is committed to them and to the patient care and research contributions
these young people will make in the future. With workforce development
programs like this, everyone wins."
The Lights On Afterschool
event coincided with the beginning of orientation and training for a new class
of students in the program. Speakers
from Brigham and Women's Hospital described the impact of the program on youth,
families, and the community.
Gladys Fashote, an SSJP alumnus, reflected on her experience and her
hopes for the future, and alumnus Nasha Lee Bailey performed. Other alumni also
talked about the life and job skills they acquired through the program and the
significance of SSJP in their lives.
Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide rally for afterschool
programs. The event in Boston is
one of more than 7,500 being held across the country, during which children,
parents, community leaders, educators and others meet with leaders show support
for the afterschool programs that children and families need. Theevents also give youth a chance to showcase the skills they learn and
talents they develop at their afterschool programs, and to send the message
that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs.
"Afterschool programs provide children with unique
opportunities to get the exposure, experiences and support they need to achieve
success," said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. "The Afterschool Innovator Awards honor
programs that have developed and are using promising practices to help children
and youth excel."
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