The City of Savannah and Chatham County businesses have teamed up to match 500 students with paid internships this summer. The nine-week program called Summer 500, was created by Savannah Mayor Eddie Deloach and Mayor Pro Tem Carol Bell. The program began May 31, with an orientation day at Savannah State University. This city- and county-wide collaborative internship program has already successfully matched many qualifying students with a variety of job positions – based on the interests the student indicated on their applications.

Designed to provide students with soft skills training, literacy and numeracy development, financial management, and career-path guidance – this new program is a reality through the partnership and support of local schools, Chatham County, Junior Achievement, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, and Savanah Economic Development Authority.

Georgia United Credit Union is providing funding to sponsor the Junior Achievement financial literacy curriculum (JA Career Success and JA Personal Finance) for all interns. Georgia United will also provide funding for the program’s closing event on July 29, 2016 – and tickets for all interns to see the Savannah Bananas baseball team (including admission, food and beverages.)

The purpose of this program is to increase internship, apprenticeship and mentorship opportunities for 500 rising high school seniors in the Greater Savannah area and identify visionary business partners who are willing to accept participating students and invest in Savannah’s future workforce. This is a great opportunity for the community to expand and promote structured activities that target local youth especially with an upsurge of crime in the area. With this program, hopefully it will reduce the crime by increasing gainful opportunities for local youth, connect youth to potential employers, and provide youth with positive role models and structured activities.