Gerald Chertavian is dedicated to closing the Opportunity Divide that exists in our nation. Determined to make his vision a reality, Gerald combined his entrepreneurial skills and his passion for...
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The best ideas come from the American people. Everyone has a story to tell, everyone has a part to play.
All across the country, ordinary Americans are doing extraordinary things in their communities to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. Every week, we will invite these Champions of Change to the White House to share their ideas to win the future.
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Youth Jobs
The White House honors nine individuals and organizations as Youth Jobs+ Champions of Change for answering the President’s call to action to help develop the discipline and skills associated with employment for our youth.
With 20 years of experience, Stacy E. Holland is a tireless advocate who has played a vital role in ensuring that youth in the Philadelphia region have access to the academic, career and support...
John Hogan is the founder and full-time volunteer CEO at TeenForce, a social enterprise dedicated to solving the youth employment crisis by meeting the hiring needs of business. TeenForce offers...
Lisbeth Shepherd founded Green City Force (GCF) in 2009 to provide a career pathway for low-income young adults. GCF's model combines workforce development, national service and sustainability...
Jeff Tollefson proudly serves as the Executive Director of Genesys Works in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he helps students break out of the poverty cycle and...
Deshawn Shepherd is a 19-year old Chicago native from the Roseland community. DeShawn attended Thornwood High School and earned his GED from Olive Harvey College in December 2012. This past...
Abraham “Abe” Alvarez is a 15-year-old 10th grader at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco, where he was born and raised. Having overcome many hardships and challenges in his life...
Tiffani Cooper, 20, is a 2010 graduate of Baltimore City Public Schools’ National Academy Foundation School, and currently a student at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC). She plans to earn...
Emmanuel Haynes is a 12th grade student In St. Louis Missouri at Carnahan High School of the Future. He participated in the Mers Goodwill St. Louis Youth Jobs Program as a Funeral Director at the...
Champions Blog Posts
- September 27, 2013 at 12:55 PM EDT
Closing the Opportunity Divide
Gerald Chertavian is the Founder and CEO of Year Up. Year Up's mission is to close the Opportunity Divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education.
- September 27, 2013 at 12:53 PM EDT
Green City Force Bringing Youth and Jobs Together
Lisbeth Shepherd is a serial social entrepreneur dedicated to creating opportunity for young adults through national service. A 1993 Echoing Green Fellow, Lisbeth founded the leading national service organization in France that inspired the Service Civique for 75,000 young people in France: Unis-Cité.
- September 27, 2013 at 12:50 PM EDT
Investing in Philadelphia’s Future Through Our Youth
Stacy E. Holland is the Co-Founder and Former President & CEO of the Philadelphia Youth Network. She will continue her work in advocating in preparing youth for college and career success in her new role as the Chief of Strategic Partnerships at the School District of Philadelphia.
- September 27, 2013 at 12:48 PM EDT
The Positive Impacts of Education and Job Training on Urban Youth
Jeff Tollefson serves as Executive Director of Genesys Works – Twin Cities, a non-profit organization helping economically disadvantaged high school students to enter and thrive in the economic mainstream by providing them the knowledge and work experience required to succeed as professionals.
