‘Easternship’ Program Seeking Local Businesses to Host Mini-Internships

A local business association is looking for companies ready to invest in Eastern Senior High School students.

The group Companies for Causes is preparing to coordinate its fourth summer of “Easternships,” the name it gave its program of mini-internships for students of the 1700 E. Capitol St. SE school.

The sessions aim to give teens a leg up on entering the professional world.

“We provide trainings around job skills such as interviewing, resume writing and creating professional social media profiles,” Joe Weedon, CFC’s executive director, said by email. (Weedon is also the Ward 6 member of the D.C. State Board of Education.)

Geppetto Catering and the accounting firm Raffa have hosted students every year, and Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen will mentor a student this summer, Weedon said.

Eastern principal Rachel Skerritt, who helped tailor the program to the needs of her students, said she saw real results.

“The students came away with so many tangible skills and also seedlings for us to water throughout the school year as we continue to work with them to be their best possible selves,” she said in a video about Easternships.

Companies will host students three days a week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 7 through August 7. The youth will spend a fourth day at Eastern doing workshops on career skills like interviewing. Anyone who wants to host an Easternship, participate in the school’s annual career day, or volunteer as a mentor or tutor can visit CAC’s website.

Photo courtesy of Flickr/Companies for Causes