South Umpqua High School summer school juniors and seniors were awarded a financial incentive for completing coursework—thanks to a partnership with Recruit HIPPO (Helping Individuals Pursue Professional Opportunities) and Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB).
The financial incentive is designed to encourage students to stay in school instead of getting summer jobs. And when students stay in school, they’re able to satisfy requirements to receive either a high school diploma or GED. The financial incentive is designed to encourage students to stay in school instead of getting summer jobs. And when students stay in school, they’re able to satisfy requirements to receive either a high school diploma or GED. Research shows that the lifetime earning potential of an individual with a high school diploma increases approximately 20%.
“Our Recruit HIPPO Youth Employment Advisors have been welcomed into many school districts to assist students and administrators in career exploration and work-based learning,” said Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board’s Youth Program Manager, Cherie Turbitt. “Curious about working as an engineer or a chef or a medical assistant? We run industry tours and paid work experiences with companies in your area. Knowing who is hiring and what careers will be in demand is our area of expertise.”
When Aaron Towne, a Recruit Hippo representative notified the district about the incentive, South Umpqua High School Graduation Coach, Emily Figueroa-Wolfe understood how this could positively impact students.
Figueroa-Wolf connected students to the application process. As a result, a total of $9,000 in stipends from SOWIB were awarded to 18 students who completed coursework and recovered credits through in-person and online opportunities.
“These community connections are important,” said Figueroa-Wolfe. “People really do want to help our youth.”
A benefit to the financial incentive is that students have the chance to learn about money. For instance, each recipient was required to fill out a W-9 form. Also, each student received a debit card that is connected to a bank account. This will allow students to receive direct deposits for future jobs.
Students are now making decisions about how to spend the money. Some students are opening savings accounts to save money for college, while others will spend the funds on immediate needs such as vehicle repairs, buying school clothes or paying rent.
One student mentioned the benefit of the award and said, “With this money I will use it to either try to fix my car or go into my savings. If it was to go into savings the money would be saved for college to help pay for it next year. I’m really grateful for getting this opportunity to earn money while trying to get ahead in school, so I can work more my senior year to save as much as possible for college.”
The incentive is a bonus to the summer learning that occurred in two sessions. Summer school students spent more than 30 hours together in each session, learning about topics that included English, art history and sports history. “Students really responded to hands-on learning,” said Figueroa-Wolfe. “For instance, art history students created Mona Lisa-style, abstract and cubism works of art.”
Additional opportunities offered by Recruit HIPPO and SOWIB include resume writing, work experience opportunities, job placement and more.
The district truly appreciates this important partnership that support student success.
The incentive program extended to other school districts in Coos, Curry and Douglas counties. To learn more about Recruit HIPPO and SOWIB, visit www.recruithippo.com and www.sowib.org
