60 Local Teens Gain Workforce Experience Through BGCSLC Summer Internship Program

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County marked National Intern Day,
July 30, this year with 60 teens completing its Summer Internship Program, placed across
nearly 50 businesses throughout the county.
Now in its second year, the program paired local teens with real jobs in real workplaces for the
summer in partnership with the Treasure Coast Center for Economic and Educational
Development (TCCEED), St. Lucie Public Schools, and the St. Lucie County Economic
Development Council (EDC). For many of these teens, it was their first paid job and their first
real look at what a career in their field of interest involves.

Nearly 50 Businesses Said Yes to Interns
Across St. Lucie County, local businesses took on a teen intern this summer, giving up staff
time and training resources to make room for someone new to the workforce. This year, teens
had the opportunity to work in industries like healthcare, education, construction, manufacturing,
government, hospitality, and skilled trades, with duties that changed throughout the summer so
each intern could experience multiple sides of the business rather than one narrow task.
Internship sites included organizations such as A1 Industries, The Porch Factory, VITAS
Healthcare, Indian River State College, St. Lucie County Utilities, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's
Office, Sandpiper Bay Resort, GraceWay Village, the St. Lucie County Clerk & Comptroller's
Office, the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners, the Fort Pierce City Recreation
Department, the Chamber of Commerce of St. Lucie County, United Way of St. Lucie County,
Aircraft Turbine Works, and dozens of other businesses and organizations committed to
investing in the next generation. That range is what makes the program work as a head start
rather than a single-track experience.

Building Future-Ready Teens in St. Lucie County
The Summer Internship Program exists to give teens a head start that most teens don't get until
college, if at all. Interns spent the summer learning workplace expectations, immersing
themselves in a professional environment, and testing career interests against the reality of their
job. Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County calls this building Future Ready Club Kids, teens
who leave the program with more clarity about where they're headed, equipped with skills to use
in the workforce. That's a head start for all sixty teens who finished the program this summer.
"Every one of these teens showed up ready to work, and we heard nothing but great feedback
about each of them." said Will Armstead, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County,

"Graduating all 60 is something we're proud of, but we could not have done it without the
Community Foundation of Martin and St. Lucie County and the funding St. Lucie County
provided this year. This program takes real investment, and these partners and businesses
made it possible. We're already looking at what next year's program can grow into, and that only
happens because the community keeps showing up for these teens."
Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County is building toward a bigger Summer Internship Program
next year, opening the door to more St. Lucie County teens and more local businesses.