The Trenton Times published the following article on March 11, 2013. To read the full article, click here.
Trenton Boys and Girls Cub receives grant for entrepreneurial projects
By Alyssa Mease/The Times of Trenton
on March 11, 2013 at 8:45 AM, updated March 11, 2013 at 8:46 AMTRENTON — The Boys and Girls Club of Trenton will receive $200,000 from Bank of America to expand a program to help students acquire entrepreneurial skills.
The grant will be used to open a computer exchange business next month, Boys and Girls Club of Trenton executive director David Anderson said.
The Boys and Girls Club already operates a bike exchange and a barber shop. Eventually, the club hopes to open up to 15 businesses, Anderson said.
“I think our project was chosen because it’s a very innovative project, he said. Students can develop their talents and skills and acquire certification in the businesses that the Boys and Girls Club has established.
Members hope that the businesses will generate revenue that can be plowed back into Boys and Girls Club activities, Anderson said.
The Boys and Girls Club is looking for local businesses with information technology departments that would be willing to work with the club’s high school members as mentors, Anderson said.
“One of the things we found is people like to share and talk about their career and mentor people,” Anderson said.
The computer exchange business would be open to Club members who are in high school. Mercer County Community College is working out a way to offer college credit for the certifications that the students earn from their business involvement, Anderson said.
This project was already being developed prior to receiving word about the grant, Anderson said. Anderson and project leader Patricia Lee-Hines will receive leadership training with other grant winners from around the country.
Contact Alyssa Mease at amease@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5673.