Title
Provision of Internship Program for Youth
Action
Action:
A. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Road to Hire in the amount of $933,058 for provision of the Pathways program for students’ internships and summer bridge experiences, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Tracy Dodson, City Manager’s Office
Explanation
§ This initiative is in support of the City’s on-going efforts to provide career pathways for Charlotte youth.
§ Road to Hire (R2H) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that connects low-income young adults with onramps to sustainable careers through high school programming, paid training, college access, and life skills support.
§ R2H presented an update on the partnership to the Economic Development Committee on April 4, 2022.
§ The City of Charlotte previously partnered with R2H on similar initiatives.
- In September 2020, the City solicited a “Workforce Partner Support Grants” process. The intention was to use CARES Act funding to support initiatives by non-profits related to career resources and job placement assistance. One organization that applied and received assistance was R2H. R2H received $250,000 to support “Road to Hire Fellowships” which are apprenticeships that serve 18 to 25-year-olds in Charlotte.
- In 2021, the City partnered with R2H for the provision of the Pathways program for students’ internships and summer bridge experiences.
§ R2H’s Pathways program is designed to promote economic justice for students from Charlotte’s highest-poverty high schools by investing in them from that critical last year before high school graduation, to and through college or apprenticeships, and into their first two years in high-growth careers.
§ City funding will be used to provide 405 students paid internships over the summer of 2022 and 225 students the College Bridge program over the summer of 2023:
- Paid summer learning internships before senior year of high school: Students are paid so they can afford to spend time being exposed to high-growth career opportunities like software development, engineering, nursing, and others. Summer programming includes hands-on support for students and families as they explore college, navigate admissions, and apply for financial aid. All R2H students will complete a FAFSA with the support of R2H instructors.
- Paid Summer Bridge program: A paid, four-week Summer Bridge program prepares rising college freshman and incoming apprentices for college life and independent living.
§ A waiver of a competitive solicitation process for services may be granted on a limited basis when deemed appropriate and in the City’s best interest. A waiver has been approved for these services based on collaborative partnership with Mecklenburg County on using this program to support upward mobility.
§ The Board of Mecklenburg County Commissioners will consider funding in the amount of $884,000 in their fiscal year 2023 budget.
Charlotte Business INClusion
This is a contract with a waiver of solicitation for services and is exempt (Part A: Appendix 1.27 of the Charlotte Business INClusion Policy).
Fiscal Note
Funding: General Capital Investment Plan