Program offers internships for at-risk students

[caption id="attachment_79442" align="alignright" width="460"] State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, speaks about how opportunity is a measure of a thriving local economy.[/caption]

State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, spoke during the news conference about the strong Austin economy, with its workforce and booming downtown.

“But the true measure of a thriving local economy is that opportunity reaches every corner of our community,” Watson said.

Two AISD board of trustees members, Paul Saldaña and Ann Teich, were also present to speak. Teich, a former Austin Interfaith leader, said she hopes this is the beginning of a good partnership with AT&T.

Funding for the program came from AT&T Aspire, the telecommunications company’s education initiative.

Saldaña thanked Austin Interfaith for being “the social conscience” for the community.

“[Austin Interfaith] reminds us that everybody here, regardless of background or economic status, deserves access to a quality of life,” Saldaña said. “And we all know that starts with public education.”

Speakers urged other companies to collaborate and assist the program.

Working toward prosperity

About 150 students may receive internship opportunities as part of the program during its first year, Austin Interfaith leader Ofelia Zapata said.

Austin Interfaith plans to expand the program to all AISD high schools in the future, she said.

Zapata also talked about her own experience in high school and how she was afraid to participate in extracurricular activities. With this program, she said, she hopes students will be inspired to see themselves as leaders with the ability to be what they want to be.

“Projects like this, involving collaborations [among] faith communities, community organizers, schools and employers … are absolutely vital,” Elford said. “And they are one small but crucial step in bringing more folks, particularly our young people, into the prosperity of the whole community.”