Thousands of Students Complete Internships through Mayor’s Youth Program
Over 1,000 high school and returning college students from the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) completed internships at top Atlanta companies, organizations and government agencies through the Mayor’s Summer Employment and Training Program.
This initiative is a public-private partnership spearheaded by Mayor Shirley Franklin. Since 2005, the Mayor’s Youth Program has served thousands of Atlanta students with jobs, employment training, scholarships and career assistance. Partners in the Summer Employment and Training Program include the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA), the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (MACOC), the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and ajcjobs.com.
To provide the best training possible, MACOC recruited companies, non-profit organizations and City agencies to provide paid summer internships. Over 325 public and private organizations offered internships from June 4 – July 27. Organizations were asked to provide 35-40 hours of work per week at a rate of $8-$12 per hour.
"As a result of this innovative summer employment and training program, Atlanta youth are better prepared for the next phase in their lives, whether it is the workforce, community college, or a four-year college or university," said Mayor Franklin.
Read Success Stories from Participants in the Mayor’s Youth Program. Visit www.mayorsyouthprogram.org
2007 Mayor’s Youth Program Participant Michelle Fisher completed an internship in the Mayor’s Office of External Affairs and International Relations. Also pictured Claire McLeveighn, director, External Affairs and International Relations.
Brandon Merritt, a 2007 Mayor’s Youth Program participant, completed an internship at the Woodruff Arts Center. |
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Nancy Creek Tunnel Named Public Works Project of the Year
Atlanta’s water and sewer renaissance continues to garner national recognition and acclaim as the American Public Works Association (APWA) names the Nancy Creek Tunnel its “Public Works Project of the Year.”
Nancy Creek was completed on-time and under-budget, according to the federal consent decree guidelines. An 8.3-mile, 16-foot diameter tunnel, Nancy Creek won in the “Environment” category for projects that exceeded $100 million. Nancy Creek Tunnel ranges from 110 to 300 feet deep and runs from the RM Clayton Water Reclamation Center on Bolton Road to Johnson Ferry Road, near I-285.
The tunnel has been in operation for a year and has significantly impacted the dramatic reduction of sanitary sewer overflows, which used to plague the Nancy Creek basin. The tunnel has reduced sanitary sewer overflows in the North Atlanta/Buckhead communities by as much as 60 percent, helping to avoid overflows by up to 600,000 gallons.
“The Nancy Creek Tunnel is an important step in our Clean Water Atlanta Program to ensure clean and safe drinking water for our children, grandchildren and downstream neighbors,” said Mayor Shirley Franklin. “We are very pleased that APWA has recognized the tunnel with this prestigious award.”
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City Agency Connects Residents with New Job Opportunities
On Friday, Mayor Shirley Franklin celebrated with eight (8) Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) customers who successfully completed the first-ever Warehouse Distribution Specialist program at Atlanta Technical College.
AWDA is a City agency that supports the career development and training of Atlanta residents. Atlanta Technical College has been a long-term partner with AWDA. In addition to adult customers, youth participants in the Mayor’s Youth Program (an AWDA-managed program) have successfully completed technical certifications in healthcare and automation at Atlanta Technical College.
Graduates from the Warehouse Distribution program averaged a 4.0 GPA and 98 percent attendance rate. In addition to warehouse distribution training, participants also passed the forklift certification, enabling them to embark on new career paths. Following the graduation ceremony, students mingled with AWDA employer-partners and passed out resumes. Each graduate is currently working with AWDA to find work using their new training.
Graduate Darlena Banks said, "This was the most wonderful opportunity a person could have. Having worked in warehousing before, you think you know everything there is to know. But you don’t.”
AWDA hosts weekly job fairs, every Tuesday, at 818 Pollard Street, Atlanta, 30303. For more information, www.atlantaworkforce.org
David Smetana, Vice President of Grainger (third from left) and Mayor Shirley Franklin (right) congratulate AWDA graduates from the Warehouse Distribution Specialist program at Atlanta Technical College. |
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Public Art Murals and Mosaics Beautify Atlanta Neighborhoods
Last week, the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) unveiled four new murals and a series of mosaics to commemorate the closing of the 2007 Summer Murals Program.
The Summer Murals program is part of Atlanta’s Art-for-City-Spaces program. Art for City Spaces provides for new commissions, site-specific artworks, art projects and portable art collections that beautify urban spaces within the city of Atlanta.
For the past nine years, Summer Murals has paired Atlanta Public Schools (APS) students with local artists. This year’s public art locations include A.D. Williams Recreation Center, John Howell Memorial Park, Boulevard Angier Park and Parkway Angier Park. This fall, OCA will unveil a final public art piece at South Bend Recreation Center. Contributing artists include Mary Pratt, Albino Mattioli, Marco Razzo, Jennifer Freeman, Ray Pierotti and Jason Johnson.
2007 Summer Murals Facts:
- Since 1999, 40 murals have been created, providing work opportunities to 27 Atlanta artists.
- Approximately 750 children have participated.
- This is the third Summer Murals collaboration with ARTSCooL, a vocational arts program administered by the Office of Cultural Affairs
- This is the first Summer Murals collaboration with Atlanta Public Schools, at Grady High School, working with the youth visiting from Rome, Italy.
- Summer Murals has partnered with Camp Best Friends since 1999.
For more information on Summer Murals and the Art-for-City-Spaces Program, visit www.ocaatlanta.com.
This mural at Boulevard Angier Park was completed as part of the 2007 Summer Murals Program. The artist in charge was Mexico City native, Marco Razo. |
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City of Atlanta officials and residents gathered recently to celebrate streetscape improvements on Hollywood Road. This project, a component of the City’s Quality of Life Bond Program, commenced in October 2006 and included new sidewalks, handicap ramps, community signs, lighting and more. Click here to go to the VOD page where you can watch the news conference.
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Rave Reviews!
- The Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) unveiled Spirit Bench, a restored sculpture created by late renowned artist John Riddle, at Arthur Langford Park as part of its Public Art program. Arthur Langford Park is located at 1614 Arthur Langford Place, Atlanta, 30315. Riddle was a major contributor to Atlanta’s arts and culture scene. He created Spirit Bench for the City of Atlanta in 1976. That same year, he produced a work for the Georgia State Capital grounds entitled Expelled Because of Color. For more information about the City’s Public Art program, visit www.ocaatlanta.com.
City officials and members of the Riddle family at the ribbon-cutting for the recently restored public art sculpture, Spirit Bench, at Arthur Langford Park. |
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- Beginning Monday, July 30 – Monday, August 13, 10th Street between Piedmont Avenue and Charles Allen Drive will be closed to traffic. City crews will be replacing sewer lines along 10th Street using pipe-bursting, which necessitates the closure of two eastbound lanes of traffic. Motorists are urged to exercise caution when traveling through the work area and use alternate routes when possible.
- Come hear the latest information on the BeltLine project. On Thursday August 9 from 6-8 p.m. officials from Atlanta Beltline, Inc., will host its third quarterly briefing at the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Auditorium located at 130 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta, 30303. Project updates will include: parks and trails update; master planning; design standards; implementation updates; and the BeltLine Partnership Capitol Campaign. For more information, contact www.beltlinecommunity.com or 404.614.8300.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
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