Chief of Schools Information Item

DATE:	Tuesday, August 14, 2018
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Girls Empowered Mentally for Success, Inc. (GEMS) Designs a Social Enterprise Summer Internship Program Where Students Apply Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Business Concepts to the Candle Chemist Project (Chief of Schools)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Girls Empowered Mentally for Success, Inc. is a gender specific organization that works with local high schools to identify students interested in working in a STEM environment.  Transitions Candles, a social venture program, is a 12-month leadership and development initiative that includes an 8-week paid internship. This program allows high school girls to receive workforce readiness workshops with committed professionals in the areas of time management, personal, finance, technology, communications, and leadership writing.  This program culminates with a paid internship over the summer working as a candle chemist.  This enterprise project connects small business owners, boutiques, large retail outlets, corporations, and individuals to create jobs for teens in Hillsborough County.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  No)
All activities are funded with monies secured through external funding sources.
EVALUATION
The GEMS organization evaluates its programs annually.
SUBMITTED BY:

MaryLou Whaley, Director		Harrison Peters
Community Engagement & Philanthropy (813) 272-4680		Chief of Schools, Administration (813) 272-4071
		C 11.03
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20180814_894 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 11.03