A group of Athens students, their families, along with members of the community joined Clarke County Schools Superintendent Demond Means and others for the kick off of the Bridge to Employment program Tuesday evening.
“We’re very thankful to Tim Johnson and Communities in Schools, Family Connection for getting this grant through Johnson & Johnson; it’s also a partnership with UGA,” Means said. “We’re just really excited about this opportunity for this cohort of students.”
The three-year program is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson in partnership with Family Connection-Communities in Schools, UGA and other community partners. Niamh Hunt is General Manger at the Athens facility.
“Very excited to be working with a group of almost 50-plus students over the next three years,” Hunt said. They’re going to really experience the world outside the classroom, so come to some of our Johns & Johnson sites, and experience maybe going to Athens Tech, you know, UGA, really focusing on their career and building those opportunities for the future.”
The program will give a group of Cedar Shoals students real-world experiences. Supporters say those experiences will allow them to explore potential careers, prepare for college, and discover how learning is relevant to their future. Tim Johnson is with Family Connection-Community in Schools.
“And the goal is for these students to be exposed to STEM careers, health and other sciences and then to graduate either career-ready or ready to go to post-secondary education,” according to Johnson.
Johnson & Johnson is providing $100,000 in funding over the three years. So students will participate free of charge. The company has implemented the program in more than 80 communities around the world.
