This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, July 22, 2011 - Students usually aren't rewarded for volunteer work, but some corporations want to change that attitude.
Bank of America's "Student Leaders" program is designed to match young people identified as tomorrow's leaders with agencies that can use their dynamic help. Locally, these range from St. Patrick Center to Nurses for Newborns.
The marriage of not-for-profits and corporate funding gives high school seniors a chance to work in a professional environment, rewarding them with a paycheck and a summit trip to Washington, D.C.
When applying to the program, Katherine Godar and LaTasha Smith said they wanted to do something outside their own boxes.
"I have always been a person who has always been busy. I do my best work when I have a lot going on," said Godar of Kirkwood, who went to Villa Duchesne.
Godar has been interning at Ranken Jordan, a pediatric specialty hospital. But besides helping out there, Katherine runs her own not-for-profit, Feed St. Louis, as well as volunteering at other organizations.
Smith, a Swansea resident and recent graduate of Belleville East Township High School, thinks that volunteering at The Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis has taught her important skills she'll need when going off to college.
"I'm headed to the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, and I'm going to be a business major. Choosing a business major has really helped me think about my goal of starting a non-profit. This program really helps me fit my goals as well," Smith says.
Diane Wagner, senior vice president of Bank of America says a program like this helps the for-profit and not-for-profit industry come together, by letting corporations shake off the stigma of not being involved in their communities.
"I think that people can make a definite connection. The mantra of Bank of America has always been to volunteer and give back to the community, because the employees are active and involved in their towns," says Wagner.
About this program in particular, Wagner says, "It's such a creative group of kids ... I'm really impressed by the maturity of these young adults."
Both Smith and Godar say that listening to the leaders at the Washington, D.C., Summit was inspirational and motivated them to do more.
"This overall experience has taught me perseverance; no matter what age, gender, or race you are, you can work hard to achieve your goals and abilities," Godar says.
Other Area Students
Alexandra Dalton, a rising senior at Mary Institute Country Day School, is interning at Nurses for Newborns
Elaine Eason, a rising senior at Parkway West High School, is interning at Grace Hill Settlement House
John Tsikalas, a recent graduate of St. Louis University High School, is interning at St. Patrick Center