Beacon of Hope Partners with IRON Lives to Give Local Students Internship Opportunity
Featured in the Share Greater Lynchburg blog
written by Alyssa Wilson,
University of Lynchburg Bonner InternAmongst internships, camps and volunteer opportunities, there have been a multitude of summer partnerships happening across the nonprofit community in our area. One of these partnerships is between SHARE Greater Lynchburg partners, Lynchburg Beacon of Hope, IRON Lives. Inc, and Park View Community Mission’s Clothing Connection.
This summer, Lynchburg Beacon of Hope launched a first-time initiative in Lynchburg, "The Stay Close, Go Far Internship Program". Some 35 rising juniors and seniors from E.C. Glass and Heritage High School were selected to pioneer the program from more than 90 applicants. And, 12 local business employers signed on to house LCS interns over the course of 80 total hours this summer.
Students engaged in more than 20 hours of ‘life-ready’ training, provided by Lynchburg Beacon of Hope, IRON Lives, and Park View Mission. Staff and volunteers from the three partner nonprofits came together to help students to create LinkedIn accounts, develop resumes, communicate in the workplace, manage conflict, discover their own identities, dress for success, manage time, and lead effectively.
Students spent the following three weeks on-site at 12 different employer locations on experiential learning rotations. Each Friday, the high school interns, Lynchburg Beacon of Hope, and IRON Lives met to reflect on their experiences.
The Stay Close, Go Far Summer Internship Program was an extremely successful pilot program. Lynchburg Beacon of Hope plans to expand the number of LCS student interns served and the partner businesses next summer.
