Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States (KPMAS) hosted WorkSource Montgomery, Inc.’s kick-off event for the 2017 Summer R.I.S.E. program, on Tuesday, March 28.
The R.I.S.E. program – Real Interesting Summer Experience program – is an initiative led by WorkSource Montgomery, Inc, in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools to provide rising high school juniors and seniors with summer career development experiences.
The speakers – including Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rise and Kaiser Permanente Regional President Kim Horn – discussed the importance of providing local high school students with opportunities to learn about and prepare for enriching careers.
“An important economic goal in our county is to develop, recruit, and retain talent, and we believe that investing in our young people through the Summer R.I.S.E. program will help our students’ and our county’s long-term growth,” said County Executive Leggett.
Beginning July 10 through July 28, 2017, Summer R.I.S.E. students will participate in career development opportunities (averaging 20 hours per week) introducing them to the structure of organizations and the industries in which they reside, professionalism in the workplace, the role of technology, and the importance of customer service. Students will earn stipends, learn about financial literacy, and participate in both online and in-person professionalism trainings to help them prepare for college and career. KPMAS will host four Summer R.I.S.E. participants this year.
The launch event included remarks from Kim Horn, Regional President, Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States; Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett; Mr. Craig Rice, Montgomery County Councilmember; Dr. Maria Navarro, Chief Academic Officer, Montgomery County Public Schools; Mr. William O. Jawando, Esq., Director of Summer R.I.S.E; Ms. Alice Nappy, Executive Director, Visarts.
“As an organization dedicated to helping everybody thrive, we at Kaiser Permanente can’t wait to share with Montgomery County high schoolers what’s so special about what we do for our more than 700,000 members in this region and 11 million members nationwide,” said Kim Horn during her remarks.