HHS EVS Director Gets Involved with Local At-Risk Youth
August 25th, 2009
More than 30 young professionals gathered to help kick off the Young Leaders Society’s College Awareness Program last week at Mez Contemporary Mexican Restaurant in Durham, North Carolina. HHS’s own Jason Poole, EVS Director at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde, North Carolina, was on hand to support the philanthropic group.
The Young Leaders Society is a new initiative of the local United Way organization, created to “engage and develop the young professional,” according to the United Way of the Greater Triangle website. The goal of their College Awareness Program is to help and encourage at-risk youth in making plans for higher education. According to the YLS website,
“This year, YLS members partnered with the Performance Learning Center—a high school program with Durham Communities in Schools—to launch their College Awareness Program. Aimed at educating at-risk youth of the accessibility and affordability of a college education, the YLS College Awareness Program will also provide opportunities for these students to tour local colleges and universities.”
Poole attended the event because he believes, “Every student deserves the opportunity to further his or her education.”
“This program will help offset a portion of the rising costs of education and provide the students a chance to explore their options beyond high school,” Poole explained. “Hopefully, this will encourage them to really think about continuing their education.”
Over the course of the evening, guests contributed more than $2,000 to help offset the expenses required to facilitate local college tours through a silent auction, bidding on items like spa packages, rounds of golf, and sporting event tickets.
“The event was a big success,” Poole said. “It is always nice to come together with other young professionals to try to make an impact in the community.”
Read the full event recap at the United Way/Young Leaders Society website.
