LANSING - More than 100 foster children from Wayne County obtained critical career connections and skills this summer in a pilot internship program conducted by the Department of Human Services. The Summer Training and Enrichment Program (STEP) paired youths soon to be aging out of the foster care system with an organization for a seven-week internship.

STEP is a joint effort of the Michigan Department of Human Services Youth in Transition Program and the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. A total of 114 youths participated and were paid a stipend for working about 20 hours a week at 43 different organizations, including the Detroit Tigers and Detroit's Sinai-Grace Hospital. Their duties ranged from assisting with clerical tasks to leading children at summer camp and conducting legal research.

Sinai-Grace Hospital of the Detroit Medical Center placed three student interns in three different units, said Mamie Wells, director of customer and volunteer services.

"These three dynamic young ladies displayed professional behavior, teamwork, accountability and were willing to lend a hand at whatever we asked of them," Wells said. "Their willingness to learn and the right attitude are things that employers really are looking for in new hires."

Recent studies in Wayne County have shown low earning capacity and high poverty rates among youths aging out of foster care. The internships helped youths build connections with local professionals and businesses that will last long after they leave foster care. In fact, 14 of the youth that participated in STEP this summer have now been hired into permanent positions.

Specifically, the STEP program provided the following:

• Professional skills training: All youths participated in the Summer Training and Enrichment Academy. This is an intensive, five-day, pre-placement seminar. Through interactive workshops, the participants learned about professional work etiquette, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, appropriate dress, and making the most of an internship.
• Professional mentorships: Youths were placed in a seven-week internship where they received supervision and training from a professional with passion for their work and a desire to share their experience with a young person.
• On-the-job skills training: Youths were placed with companies and organizations where they could receive training by professionals that will strengthen skills necessary to embark on a lifelong career.

Williams was 11 when she entered foster care and had been working as a retail clerk at Target. She accepted an internship for the Detroit Tigers' Human Resources Department completing clerical tasks such as reviewing background checks of applicants and completing hiring documents. Williams also received switchboard operation training, a critical reason she was asked to remain on staff part time after the internship ended.

"We had a need for people with switchboard operation training so we were able to invite Tyesha to remain on staff as the need permits," said Karen Gruca, human resources manager for the Detroit Tigers. "We definitely support programs like this and look to participate in the future if it is offered again."

The employers that participated in the STEP internship program include: Alternatives for Girls; Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit; Association for Children's Mental Health; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Detroit; The Bing Group; Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan; Black Family Development, Inc.; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Communities in Schools; COTS; Curves at New Center; Detroit Central City Community Mental Health; Detroit Hope Hospital; Detroit Police Department; Detroit Tigers; Don Bosco Hall; Dr. Odeather Hill; Federation of Youth Services; Focus: HOPE; Great Lakes Dock and Door; Hegira Programs, Inc.; Kidz World Child Care Center; Life Directions; Litt Electric; Little Prince and Princesses Childcare Center; Livonia Mall; Make a Difference Community Alliance; Marygrove College; Michigan State Court of Appeals; Michigan State Fair; Mr. G's Polo Hair and Nail Salon; Paper Plas; Recording Institute of Detroit; Sinai-Grace Hospital; St. John Senior Community Center; The Family Place; ThinkDetroit PAL; Value City; VIP Mentoring; Wayne County Department of Human Services; Wayne County Prosecutor's Office and Wayne State University Law School.