OVER 400 APS STUDENTS MEET THE MAYOR

Mayor Shirley Franklin mets with Atlanta Public School Seniors to discuss their educational & career plans after graduation. Also photographed are volunteers and members of the Society of Human Resources Mangers (SHRM) who taught job readiness workshops.

ATLANTA, NOVEMBER 30, 2009 - On September 19, 2009 the class of 2010 began meeting with Mayor Shirley Franklin to discuss their post-secondary educational dreams. Mayor Franklin and her MYP staff met with Atlanta Public School seniors on four designated Saturdays from the month of September through November. A total of 433 met with the mayor and received coaching in a small group setting to discuss their educational and career goals. They also attended college preparation classes, college fair, and job readiness workshops taught by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM).

“Saturdays with the Mayor” is the kick-off initiative that coincides with Mayor’s Youth Program goal of developing Atlanta Public School seniors from all backgrounds by creating an active plan for them to pursue educational excellence in post-secondary institutions and/or workforce training. In the four years since its inception the Mayor’s Youth Program has transformed over 2, 500 students lives.

Mayor Franklin speaks to students in a small round-table discussion.

Bernard Irvin, a 2005 alumnus of the MYP inaugural class, is an Admissions Counselor for Brewton-Parker College.  After graduating with a major in Human Services, Irvin had the urge to give back to the program, because of the impact its made on his life. “If it wasn’t for this program I wouldn’t have been in school. I told Ms. Lum (Deborah Lum, Executive Director of Atlanta Workforce Development Agency) at the reunion that she is one of the people that helped save my life.”  Irvin reciprocated his gratitude towards the Mayor’s Youth program by participating in the college fair portion of “Saturdays with the Mayor.” He recruited students “…who are walking down the same pathways and doors. I walk through.” He hopes the program continues to flourish and that other MYP alumni will assist in mentoring future graduating classes.  

Bernard Irvin, (on right), speaks to a student about his future goals. Irvin, a MYP alumunus, wished to give back to the program, because of the impact it had on his life.