Recently, KRA/Baltimore*and 17 other teams teed off at the Forrest Park Golf Course for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services 3rd Annual Golf Tournament for a truly worthy cause: to raise awareness on behalf of some of Baltimore City’s finest young citizens… teens living in foster care…of which there are 4,141 over the age of 14. The teams consisted of three players, with a fourth player being a Baltimore City Youth-in-Care for the entire 18-hole course. Individual participants and groups of players from local business, community, and public organizations “hit the links” for some friendly competition, as well as to network with the youth.
According to Kevin Hillenburg, KRA/Baltimore Job Developer, “The tournament went off without a hitch, and was a huge success on so many levels. The young people were given an incredible experience, not just to have some ‘fun in the sun’, but to establish some meaningful connections with the participating organizations, affording them the opportunity to network and explore future internship possibilities and even employment opportunities. Another goal of the event was to o give people the chance to interact with the kids, and really get to know them, in the hope that some of the participants will actually consider becoming foster-care parents themselves. With great networking, laughter, food, and countless blunders on the golf course made by all, it was a wonderful event for a wonderful cause.”
The Baltimore City Department of Social Services, KRA client, is heavily invested in providing every possible opportunity for Baltimore City’s youth to succeed, and has aggressively implemented an initiative, “Ready by 21,” to involve older youth in every decision that affects them. A major vehicle for teen input is the Youth Advisory Board, which empowers youth to have a positive effect in their communities by helping them to develop skills necessary for independent living and leadership development. Learn more about this exciting program at: https://sites.google.com/site/bcdssreadyby21lifeskills/home/
*The KRA Corporation Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program offers customers receiving Temporary Cash Assistance, a wide range of work-readiness activities, including comprehensive assessments and unsubsidized Community Work Experience opportunities. To benefit area employers, the Program also provides occupation-specific skills training for the in-demand fields of Healthcare, Information Technology, Tourism & Hospitality, and Early Childhood Development.
Dr. Boone’s 20+ years’ experience in the industry is extensive and her expertise in private-, public-, and non-profit sector workforce-services organizations is unparalleled, particularly in the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan area.
