THIS is Columbia Housing - Summer Youth Employment Program
Catch up on the latest from Columbia Housing: Volume 2024-2
Teens Visit SC Civil Rights Museum
Out summer interns' experience with the Summer Youth employment Program was about a lot more than employment. it included enrichment activities & field trips - like this visit to the Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil rights Museum.
Much of how South Carolina has seen its civil rights history has been thought he lens of photographer Cecil Williams. From Sit-ins to prayer protests to portraits of African Americans integrating universities and rising to federal judges, Williams has snapped it.
After years of work, Williams' millions of photographs are being digitized and categorized and his chief dream of a civil rights museum making how Black Americans fought segregation and discrimination in the state is about to move out of his old house and into a much bigger, and more prominent, building in Orangeburg. Thank you to Mr. Williams and the Board at the Museum for this awesome experience.
Senator Devine Spends Time with Teens
Few elected officials can match Senator Tameika Isaac Devine's tack record of community service. She was in her element as she fielded questions from out 14-19 year old summer interns.
They asked her about career highs & low. they asked her about being a mother & balancing everything she does. They asked about her career as a lawyer and how she met her husband. They asked what it's like working in the Senate where few other women get to work.
Thanks Senator Devine for answering EVERY question honestly & lovingly. You truly poured into our young interns and we can't thank you enough.
Bowling with the Boss
CEO Yvonda Bean surprised the interns in the Summer Youth Employment Program with a team-building activity at Quaker Steak & Lube Bowling Alley! It was fiercely competitive!
Congratulations to summer intern Christopher Taylor for coming out on top!
Shout out to our CEO Yvonda Bean for being the top scorer among staff.
Thank you Commissioner Kara Simmons and Tina Torres with She Did That Events LLC for leading the session on Community Engagement & Volunteerism.
Thank you Civil Rights Historian Dr. James Felder; Columbia Branch NAACP President Oveta Glove; and One Common Cause Community Control Initiative's John Tyler for leading a conversation about voter education and voter's rights.
Meet the Summer Youth Employment Program Participants
Diamond Alston
Property Management Department
As the Administrative Assistant intern in the Property Management Department, Diamond learned about what it takes to manage the more than 20 residential properties operated by Columbia Housing. Diamond will be a rising sophomore at Keenan this year.
Dakori Bannister
Maintenance & HR Department
Dakori Bannister has his sights set on being a successful entrepreneur after he finishes school. During his summer internship he focused on doing the best job he could as an intern in Columbia Housing's Warehouse.
Legacy Bell
Housing Choice Voucher Department
Legacy graduated from A.C. Flora High in May 2024 and enrolled at Full Sail University to study video gaming a couple of weeks later. Legacy put his critical thinking skills to work as a summer intern in our Housing Choice Voucher Department.
Royalty Caraballo-Grant
Resident Services Department
One of the first things you notice about 14-year old Royalty Caraballo-Green is her smile. As an intern in the Resident & Family Services Department, Royalty enjoyed learning about all the different activities and programs Columbia Housing has for its residents.
Richelle Cowans
Human Resources Department
14 year old Richelle Cowans is a freshman at A.C. Flora High School. She loves to cook and is also in Honors Band. Richelle says her summer internship is the Human Resources Department with Ms. Cynthia Gore & Ms. Selina Hart was a perfect fit.
Jhion Fane
Maintenance Department
16-year old Jhion Fane says he never thought he'd enjoy his summer job as much as he does. "I have gained skills that I never would have imagined. I loved my work." Jhion is looking forward to starting his junior year at a new school - Westwood High - for the 2024/2025 school year.
Kingston Hickman
IT Department
16-year old Kingston Hickman is an 11th grader at C.A. Johnson. As an honors student, Kingston is looking forward to a career in the IT industry. He is currently enrolled in a dual education program that allows him to take classes at both C.A. Johnson and Midlands Technical College.
Nathan Jamison
Property Management Department
15-year old Nathan attends Eau Claire. This summer he interned with the Maintenance Department. "I'm hands-on individual. I already do a lot of repairs at home." Nathan is a huge basketball fan. Right now he plays on Columbia Housing's Basketball Team - 'The Columbia Strong'.
Jayla Johnson
Property Management Department
14-year old Jayla Johnson is bright and determined. Jayla says her favorite subject in school is history. As an intern in the Property Management Department, she helped with inspections as well as keeping track of multiple properties and projects.
Shalee Lee
Executive Administration Department
Shalee Lee is a rising sophomore at Dreher High School and she is focused on her education and goals. Shalee's internship in the Executive Offices of Columbia Housing gave her a bird's eye view of what happens in the top level of a multimillion-dollar organization.
Jakira Mobley
Capital Assets Department
As the intern in the Capital Assets Department at Columbia Housing, Jakira had an interesting behind the scenes view of the new developments Columbia Housing currently has under construction.
Emonii Morton
Strategic Initiatives Department
15-year old Emonii Morton is determined to work hard, meet her goals, and make her family proud. Emonii's internship in the Strategic Initiatives Department gave her an opportunity to see up close Columbia Housing's special programs and activities for residents.
Terence Myers
Property Management Department
Terence Myers is a 17-year old with a BIG vision. "I believe I have a chance to make the world a better place. We lost my dad, my brother, and my uncle all in 2021. So, I want to live my life to honor them. I want my life to make a difference." Terence's placement in the Property Management Department was his first job.
Kazariyah Sanders
Communications Department
Kazariyah Sanders is a young lady with big ambition. At 15, she already knows she wants to work with young children in the future. Kazariyah's summer internship was in the Columbia Housing Communications Department where she worked as the Official Student Reporter and Photographer.
Naazyah Strother
Finance Department
15-year old Naazyah has her sights set on being an entrepreneur and she's getting a jump start on accomplishing that goal. Naazyah attends A.C. Flora High School and Heyward Career Center. As a summer intern in Columbia Housing's Finance & Accounting Department, Naazyah helped the staff with administrative tasks.
Christopher Taylor
Maintenance Department
14-year old Chris Taylor will be a 9th grader this year at Dutch Fork High School. Chris spent his internship working with our maintenance team. "I loved this job very much. My daily tasks included repairing doors and doorknobs, as well as fixing light bulbs and painting." When he grows up, Chris wants to be a business owner.
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