Submitted by Rosanna Cruz-Bibb
Hart Archway Partnership
The Hart Archway Partnership recently celebrated local college students at a welcome reception for this year’s Look Ahead Georgia interns. The event was held at the Adult Learning Center on June 4.
The reception was an opportunity for employers, civic leaders and community members to meet this year’s interns and show their support for the next generation of local talent.
This summer’s cohort includes four University of Georgia students, each placed with a local host organization for an eight-week, paid internship experience.
Interns and their placements include Aeva Looney, an intern with the Hartwell Downtown Development Authority; Bryce Adams, an intern with Hart EMC; Ethan Yntema, an intern with Nestle Purina; and Tahj Courage, an intern with Nestle Purina.
“The Look Ahead Georgia program is a tremendous opportunity for our students to discover — or rediscover — everything their hometown has to offer. We are thrilled to welcome this cohort back home and to connect them with the outstanding employers and community members who make Hart County such a special place to live and work," Jeffrey Burke, Look Ahead Georgia program coordinator, said.
About Look Ahead Georgia
Look Ahead Georgia is an eight-week internship initiative connecting University of Georgia students with meaningful work opportunities in their rural hometowns. By pairing students with local businesses, government agencies and nonprofits, the program helps them rediscover the professional, financial and personal opportunities available in their communities.
Interns receive a $5,000 stipend and hands-on professional development, while host employers gain access to skilled, motivated students at little to no cost. Beyond the workplace, interns engage with local events, civic organizations and service opportunities to build lasting connections to home.
Look Ahead Georgia is made possible through partnerships with host organizations and support from the UGA Archway Partnership, UGA Career Center and the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development.
This initiative is part of a $3 million grant funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and a grant from the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission. It is 100 percent federally funded, with zero percent non-governmental funding.
For more information about the program, contact LookAheadGeorgia@uga.edu. Employers interested in hosting an intern for future cohorts may contact Jeffrey Burke at jburke@uga.edu or Rosanna Cruz-Bibb, Hart Archway Professional, at Rosannac@uga.edu.