By Lois Jones, LEAP Organization

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – L.E.A.P. organization was awarded $2,500 community grant from Sam’s Club to be used for the Jump Start Success program. This program targets career exploration and job readiness and uses a multiple module curriculum to prepare the participants in many areas focused on successful career planning and preparation.

The participants in the Jump Start program will take a skills assessment to create awareness of the individual strengths each student possesses along with exploring different career options, career goal setting, and writing a career plan. The participants will also learn about understanding the workplace, what employers want, workplace etiquette and culture, and workplace laws and safety.

In addition to all of the other topics the participants will learn, the program also covers soft skills such as verbal communication and interpreting body language. Time management, resume writing, completing applications, networking, and interviewing are also taught and practiced.

LEAP was thrilled to be the recipient of this grant and the Executive Director, Richard Reason Garrett, felt blessed to be receiving this award. “This money will benefit so many students by helping them develop and implement a successful career plan,” said Garrett.

Several Board of Director members were on hand to receive the grant check from Lesa Rogowitz and Teresa May from Sam’s Club. Executive Director Richard Reason Garrett was joined by Board Members Michelle Holland, Larson Gafney, and Lois Jones.

L.E.A.P, which stands for Leadership, Enlightenment, Academic Achievement, and Perseverance, also teaches its members about Outreach, Responsibility, and Growth. L.E.A.P. provides mentoring, counseling, career development, educational field trips, and community service learning opportunities to student’s ages 11 to 18 free of charge. L.E.A.P. receives referrals from the Juvenile Court, DCS, and the Clarksville Montgomery County School System and offers open enrollment for interested youth with parental consent.

For more information about L.E.A.P. ORG. visit www.leaporg.net or call (931) 614-0440.