Baltimore Teens Meet With City Leaders To Discuss Their Future
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Empowering the city's youth. Dozens of Baltimore organizations meet with teenagers to talk about their future.
Amy Yensi with their message.
The message is simple--the decisions you make today will affect you tomorrow--so, make smart decisions and take advantage of every resource available to you.
Baltimore students come face-to-face with opportunity.
"It tells me more information about what I'm going to do with my future and it gets me ready for my future," said William Murphy, student.
Forest Park High School students are mentored on vocational training, summer jobs and career opportunities.
Congressman Elijah Cummings says he got the idea to bring dozens of city organizations together following April's unrest.
"I think by us being here and bringing resources to them and showing them that we care," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, (D) Maryland.
He says in meetings with high school students across Baltimore, the teens point to lack of opportunities as the source of their frustration.
"They would've thought everything is OK when that's really not the case," said student Camilia Gavin. "Because we don't really get a voice."
The students getting a chance to ask questions about scholarships, internships and career paths from those in the know.
"When I sat here and listened and they started talking to me, I started thinking it over about how this can affect my future," said student Michael Bowser.
Organizers say they hope that by meeting the students in person, they inspire them to have big dreams and to make those big dreams a reality.
"I think if they see us and actually hear from us, I think it's actually different than sending them to a website," said Allison Robinson, University of Maryland at Baltimore.
Hoping the students use the tools to build towards their future.
One of the main resources for young people is the city's Youth Works program. Teens are urged to apply early to ensure they get a summer job.
The Youth Works program is for young people ages 14 to 21.
