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College Announces New Community Outreach Partnership
RALEIGH, N.C. (September 26, 2023) – Wake Tech and the Boys & Girls Clubs serving Wake County are teaming up to help middle- and high-school students in underrepresented communities discover their post-secondary education and career paths.
Today, the two announced a new community outreach partnership that will provide a full-time college liaison to support outreach and career exploration activities for members of the Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the Raleigh area. The college has similar arrangements with other community organizations across Wake County.
The Boys & Girls Clubs partnership is designed to educate and inspire students in underrepresented communities about the life-changing rewards of higher education and the workforce opportunities it can bring. The initiative is part of Wake Tech's Reach and Rally strategic plan and aligns with the college's goal of increasing equitable access to Wake Tech programs for students from low-economic-health communities, including minority and low-income students. The partnership also supports the Boys & Girls Clubs mission to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
"We are so grateful for the opportunity to work hand in hand with the Boys & Girls Clubs and reach into our communities in Wake County that need us the most," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of young people by increasing their equitable access to higher education and improving their economic mobility in the future."
"Boys & Girls Clubs' goal is to level the playing field for kids who need us most," said Boys & Girls Clubs President and Chief Executive Ralph Capps. "Our partnership with Wake Tech brings our workforce readiness programs to the next level for our kids. It's an unprecedented opportunity to help our kids build great futures."
Carlon "CC" Hardy will serve as the Workforce Community Outreach Officer and will work on-site with students on career exploration, degree and non-degree program options, financial aid, resume development, job interview skills and other activities. She will be stationed at the Boys Club Raleigh Boulevard location.
Hardy holds a master's degree in public administration from Georgia State University and is a former volunteer engagement manager and high school programs director for the Boys & Girls Clubs.
She says she's excited about the opportunity to transform lives through her new role.
"I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the challenges a typical Club kid faces, and I've also had the joy of observing them achieve incredible feats they never thought possible," Hardy said. "Through this partnership, I have boundless opportunities to reshape the trajectory of a life and instill a sense of optimism for a promising future. I look forward to nurturing connections with Club members and their families and help them devise a clear pathway to success."
The Boys & Girls Clubs serving Wake County is the college's latest community outreach partner. Wake Tech also has relationships with Communities in Schools, Juntos, the Raleigh Dream Center, the Salvation Army and numerous churches and faith-based organizations to help students from low-economic-health communities enter Wake Tech programs and access the services they need to be successful.
