“It was the best job I ever had,” raved ABCD WorkSMART student Kalil Nevils during remarks at the program’s year-end celebration.
Members of the 2023/2024 WorkSMART cohort celebrated their accomplishments and shared their talents at the ABCD Thelma Burns Building. The event kicked off with a barbecue, a bracelet making activity and fellowship with community members, family and ABCD Youth Services staff.
After duly recognizing WorkSMART program leaders for their tireless effort, Khalil shared that his internship at a daycare was a great fit and truly fulfilling because of his relationship with WorkSMART program staff. “They listened to me and put me in a place where I would feel comfortable,” he said.
WorkSMART cohort member Duerick Gomez enchanted guests with three soul-stirring songs that he wrote just that week. The audience was blown away by his performance. One song was dedicated to ABCD’s WorkSMART staff and what he described as the immeasurable impact of WorkSMART program leaders on youth participants. “Their work here in the city won’t go unnoticed,” he said.
“We are so proud of this year’s WorkSMART students and all their accomplishments this academic year,” said Ron Marlow, vice president of ABCD Workforce Development and Alternative Education while beaming with pride. He extended a heartfelt thanks to the invaluable contributions of the ABCD Youth Services staff, and underscored their critical role in driving the program’s mission and vision. “A good idea means little, absent the ability and the people to move it forward,” he said.
WorkSMART is for Boston students grades seven-12 who are ages 14-21. It provides academic and social support to help students excel at school while exploring a career path through a paid internship during the school year. Learn more about WorkSMART and how to join the fall cohort, here.
