LYNN — A new after-school program coming to Lynn Classical High School this fall aims to allow students to expand their career options after graduation.
Through the new program, Pathways to Opportunities, 10 to 12 students from the high school will collaborate and train with professionals from Danvers-based human services agency Northeast Arc to learn about the inner workings of the human services field.
The initiative, aimed at students who may not plan on pursuing higher education but are still in search of employment opportunities after high school, will provide Classical students in grades 9 through 12 the opportunity to discover interests, develop life skills, recognize they offer value to others, and create connections for post-graduation.
The initiative is free and will provide participating students with financial incentives, including stipends and paid internship opportunities. Participating students, upon graduation, would be given priority application status to open positions at Northeast Arc and will be supported, if they choose, to take full advantage of tuition reimbursement and tuition remission programs available to Northeast Arc employees.
Northeast Arc Director of Innovation and Strategy Tim Brown said in a written statement that the program will help fill a vacancy in the human services field, in addition to helping high school kids carve out career paths.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind program, and the idea is to introduce students to human services,” Brown said. “There’s a lack of people coming into this field, so we’re looking to develop a pipeline. Part of it is helping the kids discover who they are and find their passion.”
The after-school program will take place at Lynn Classical throughout the full school year. Cohort topics may include financial literacy, communication skills for job interviews, teamwork through participation in unified sports with Special Olympics, career path planning, CPR and other skill-based training, health care advocacy, and training on disability and autism. In the summer, students may be offered paid work opportunities with Northeast Arc.
Former Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce Programs Director Maria Terris has been hired as the program’s director. Terris also served as director of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, an after-school program that teaches middle and high school students how to start and run their own businesses or social movements.
“I’ve always had an affinity for working with kids. In talking with Tim, I was really excited about this program,” Terris said.
One of her goals is to equip students with presentation skills that can be used in human services.
“They need to have a strong, confident presence,” she said.
Lynn Classical Principal Amy Dunn said in a written statement that she thinks Northeast Arc’s presence at the school will be an opportunity for students to continue their education after high school.
“We’re really excited about this opportunity for our students,” Dunn said. “From everything I’ve learned about Northeast Arc, there’s tremendous opportunity for growth in the field and continuing education.”
Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at [email protected].
