Charleston County News Release

MEDIA CONTACT

Name:   Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer

Phone:  843.958.4012

Release Number: 2794

Date: April 30, 2007


See photo from 2006: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/newsimages/calhak.htm

"Change a Life, Hire a Kid" Campaign Underway

            Charleston County challenges businesses to hire students this summer.

The 2007 Change a Life, Hire a Kid (CALHAK) campaign is underway, and Charleston County Government is asking businesses to participate as an employer and give local students an excellent opportunity this summer.

Beginning May 1, Charleston County Government will begin taking applications from students who want to get real work experience this summer and from businesses interested in providing that experience.

The CALHAK campaign is a joint effort by Charleston County Government and the Trident Workforce Investment Board (TWIB). Since 1997, this campaign has assisted hundreds of students in the Tri-county community with obtaining summer employment and exploring career opportunities while gaining critical workforce skills.

Students between the ages of 16-21 in the Tri-county area may participate in the program, which involves a commitment from a business to pay the student at least the minimum wage over a period of six weeks during the summer months.

"The purpose of the CALHAK program is to ensure that youth are gainfully employed, learning a job, and contributing to our local business community. The CALHAK program can provide our youth with a positive work experience today and help to build our economy for tomorrow," said Adrienne Sellers of the Charleston County Grants Administration Department, who coordinates the CALHAK program. "Our local youth deserve the opportunity to gain professional experience, and our local businesses are supplied with a readily available and talented workforce."

The cost to businesses hiring a student through the program for six weeks is approximately $750. There is minimal paperwork involved for the employer, such as issuing paychecks, completing time sheets and evaluating the youth's performance.

Students are matched with employers based on a comparison between the employer's needs and the results of the student's interest and skills inventory and work history.

Charleston County staff screens all students in advance. The students undergo intensive interview training skills and professional behavior training prior to being chosen for the program. In addition, employers who are matched with students are encouraged, but not required, to conduct their own interviews, giving the students more real world experience.

To obtain a Change a Life, Hire a Kid application (applications will be accepted beginning May 1), you may:

-        Call Adrienne Sellers, CALHAK Coordinator for the Charleston County Grants Administration Department, at (843) 202-6979

-        Download an application online at www.CharlestonCounty.org under the "What's New" tab, or go to the direct link at http://www.charlestoncounty.org/index2.asp?p=/calhak.htm

-        In person, go to the Charleston County Grants Administration Department at 4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston, SC 29405 (off Leeds Ave. in N. Charleston, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

-        In person, applications may also be obtained from the Trident One Stop Career Center, 1910 Hanahan Road, North Charleston, SC 29405 (Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

- Written by Jennie Davis -