Delaware Business Blog

Five Delaware teens selected as Student Leaders® and will receive paid eight-week internships at Delaware non-profits

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced that five Delaware high school 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.

“Teens are once again facing a tough time finding summer jobs,” said Chip Rossi, Delaware market president for Bank of America. “Our Student Leaders program provides them the opportunity to earn and learn, while increasing the capacity of nonprofits to serve critical community needs.”

In addition to the paid internships, the students will attend a weeklong Bank of America Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., in July. Summit activities include 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 gain a deeper understanding of how service creates positive change and how corporate, nonprofit and government collaboration revitalize communities.

Delaware’s Student Leaders are:

  • Diana Advani, a Newark resident and recent graduate of Newark High School, is interning at the Latin American Community Center
  • Julia Johansson, a Hockessin resident and rising senior at the Charter School of Wilmington, is interning at the Latin American Community Center
  • Alison Kowalski, a Wilmington resident and rising senior at McKean High School, is interning at the Latin American Community Center
  • Jacqueline Sinnott, a Wilmington resident and rising senior at the Archmere Academy, is interning at the Latin American Community Center
  • Richard Thorpe, a Middletown resident and recent graduate at Appoquinimink High School , is interning at the Appoquinimink Boys and Girls Club of Delaware
  • 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.

    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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