Bank of America Connects Local Teens to Summer Employment

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Bank of America Charitable Foundation announces five Providence-area students have been selected to take part in the 2013 Student Leaders program, which awards a total of 225 community-minded high school juniors and seniors from around the country with paid eight-week summer internships at local nonprofit organizations.

Despite gains in the overall job market, teens still have the highest unemployment rate – one out of every seven young people is not in school or working. Research indicates that teens who are gainfully employed have lower drop-out rates, are more likely to continue their education to pursue long-term career goals and ultimately show an increase in lifetime earning potential.

That’s why Bank of America started the Student Leaders program. It is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to provide individuals with access and exposure to critical resources that will bolster their work and life skills while also benefiting the community.

“These youth unemployment figures are unacceptable – we have to invest in young people if we want Rhode Island to thrive,” said Bill Hatfield, Rhode Island market president, Bank of America. “The Student Leaders program places these bright, highly-motivated individuals in meaningful jobs, while our nonprofit partners get an infusion of talent and energy. Everybody wins.”

In addition to the paid internships, the students attended a weeklong Bank of America Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., in July. Summit activities included a service learning project and a series of interactive workshops, including Capitol Hill briefings and sessions on financial education and leadership development skills. The students gained a deeper understanding of how service creates positive change and how corporate, nonprofit and government collaboration can revitalize communities.

Participating local students are:

• Adedayo Montiero, a Providence resident and rising senior at Mount Pleasant High School, is interning at The Providence Boys and Girls Club.
• David Ramos, a Providence resident and rising senior at LaSalle Academy, is interning at The Providence Boys and Girls Club.
• Tiffany Venmahavong, a Woonsocket resident and recent graduate of the Beacon Charter High School for the Arts, is interning at the Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club.
• Lauren Rochefort, a Woonsocket resident and rising senior at Woonsocket High School, is interning at The Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club.
• John Novas, a Providence resident and rising senior at the Met School, is interning at the Providence Boys and Girls Club.

The Student Leaders program demonstrates Bank of America’s long-standing belief that investing in leadership and fostering a culture of service is a way to revitalize the economic and social health of communities.

Photo caption: Five exceptional students from the Providence area are just starting their eight-week internships at local nonprofits, courtesy of the Bank of America Student Leaders program and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Pictured are Lauren Rochefort, John Novas, Addy Monteiro, David Ramos and Tiffany Venmahavong.

Bank of America Corporate Social Responsibility

Bank of America’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic part of doing business globally. Our CSR efforts guide how we operate in a socially, economically, financially and environmentally responsible way around the world, to deliver for shareholders, customers, clients and employees. Our goal is to help create economically vibrant regions and communities through lending, investing and giving. By partnering with our stakeholders, we create value that empowers individuals and communities to thrive and contributes to the long-term success of our business. We have several core areas of focus for our CSR, including responsible business practices; environmental sustainability; strengthening local communities with a focus on housing, hunger and jobs; investing in global leadership development; and engaging through arts and culture. As part of these efforts, employee volunteers across the company contribute their time, passion and expertise to address issues in communities where they live and work. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow us on Twitter at @BofA_Community.

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