CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Intern Involved in Local Church Program

Published on June 8, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS - Young blood will bolster the RiverKings ranks this offseason - not referring to new on-ice signings, but to a fresh crop of interns including local youth.

Among the new interns is Brannon Gilliland, 18, a member of Brown Missisionary Baptist Church of Southaven, Mississippi. The church has prepared 120 young men and women ages 15-21 to enter the workforce this summer. The program, called Brown Youth Initative (BYI), seeks to provide the youth with employment experience and real world labor expectations; provide opportunities for career instruction, financial literacy training and social supports; and bolster small business by providing access to potential employees without the need to provide salaries.

"The purpose of this program is to provide employment summer employment and educational experiences for the youth of Brown Baptist Church that build on their individual strengths and incorporate youth development principles," Minister Robert L. Clayborn, Sr. said.

"These principles include engaging the talents and interests of the youth, developing their skills and competencies, and providing positive adult role models. The BYI experience introduces youth to the workplace, imparts valuable employment skills, and provides youth with a summer income."

The program spans eight weeks, June 7-July 30, with the salaries being funded by the church. Each student is allowed to work up to work 20 hours per week at a salary of $7.25 per hour. Each student is also required to participate in a service project and to adhere to the program guidelines set forth by the program administrator.

The students, who are all members of Brown Baptist Church, have the potential to earn $1,080 over the course of the program.

"In registering for the program, students must think through their goals and career objectives, as well as think about practical logistics," Clayborn said. "They have to list any special skills, studies, talents or assets they can bring to a job; list their employment history; any extracurricular activities, community service, church, outreach participation or volunteer services; and consider whether or not they will have a reliable means of transportation if selected, which is required.

"Before starting their jobs, the students are all required to attend a pre-employment orientation," Clayborn said. "During orientation, they are taught the principle of tithing, customer service, business & telephone etiquette; they learn how to complete any required documentation for tax purposes; they are issued I.D.s to verify their participation in the program, which must be presented when picking up their check; and we discuss with and encourage them to open savings and/or checking accounts."

Other participation guidelines include participating in a BYI-sponsored service project, arriving for work in a timely manner, abiding by the rules set forth by the employer; and wearing business-professional attire or wearing the required uniform of the assigned location. Failure to abide by the guidelines can result in removal from the program.

For more information on Brown Youth Initiative, contact Clayborn at (662) 292-3887.

The Mississippi RiverKings are supported by their community partners, season ticket holders, fans, and by program-related investments of the Maddox Foundation, an independent private foundation based in Hernando, Miss. The Foundation supports the team's programs that increase investments in area charities and their causes. To find out more about the RiverKings, call 662.342.1755 or visit www.riverkings.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from June 8, 2010


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