Author: Mercedes Maness
Planning Unit: Community & Economic Development (CEDIK)
Major Program: Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP)
Outcome: Initial Outcome
CEDIK Extension Associate Mercedes Maness and FOCUS Inc. Chairperson April Renner (partner for CREATE BRIDGES program which Maness is project coordinator for) led the Regional Youth Help Desk program piloted July and August 2020 as a partnership between CREATE BRIDGES, local businesses and local high school students. Utilizing online resources provided by partner Southeast Kentucky Economic Development (SKED), and by partnering with a locally owned business to provide real world experience and application, youth were trained to help small business owners with online presence and social media. The youth participating in the help desk gained valuable skills as well as real world experience working with local businesses and entrepreneurs. Student participants learned about a variety of topics related to online marketing and social media. Participants applied their knowledge throughout the program by creating weekly deliverables that demonstrated the skills learned that week, as well as assisting a local business owner with her online marketing/social media needs. By participating in all trainings, both student participants received certificates of completion in Be Boss Online, a 12-hour course on digital marketing training for small business. When asked what they had learned from participating in the program, students reported, “Presenting in front of people. I feel like I’ve gotten better at it because I have to do it every week. I’m not as nervous anymore,” and “Definitely design skills. I didn’t ever think I would be able to make those ads or anything. I feel better about it, and more confident.” After participating in the Regional Youth Help Desk, a local business owner noted the student she was paired with was instrumental in starting a new phase of marketing for her business. The business owner was then connected to more online resources through another Create Bridges Kentucky partner.
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