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The First Horizon Foundation has awarded the Boys & Girls Club of Dumplin Valley a grant in support of their Work Ready Plus program.

The Work Ready Plus program invites teen members to complete a 60-120 hour paid internship and includes three main components, Implementation of the Career Launch and Money Matters Program curriculum, Participation in School/College Tours and Career Fair and Completion of a Paid Work Ready Plus internship.

Teens are paid $10 an hour for work completed and earn up to $1,200 upon completing the internship. The paid internship experience is a critical piece of the implementation of the WRP program as it provides youth with the opportunity to take what they have learned through the Career Launch and Money Matters curricula and apply those skills in an on-the-job experience.

Following the implementation of the Career Launch and Money Matters curricula teaches youth critical on-the-job skills such as resume building, interview skills, financial literacy and more.

Teens who participate in the Work Ready Plus program and pursue an internship are then interviewed, selected, onboarded, and guided through the internship experience.

Internship placements take place in the local community (as identified by board members) and at Club sites.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Dumplin Valley also offers school and college tours.

By providing school and college tours to program participants, youth can gain a wide exposure to the diverse types of postsecondary opportunities available to them.

This is an especially unique opportunity for youth who have never visited local colleges or university as it provides them with an experience that they otherwise may not receive to help them further develop future career goals.

This program takes place in-person throughout the year with cycles happening each semester for teens ages fourteen and up. To date, this program has served 44 teens across Jefferson and Cocke Counties.

First Horizon Foundation is the private charitable foundation of First Horizon Corporation.

Founded in 1993, the Foundation has donated more than $110 million to meet community needs.

Grants from the Foundation support the following impact areas: Arts and Culture, Education and Leadership, Environment, Financial Literacy, and Health and Human Services.