Opportunity Connection : Bay City, MI

Thinking about your future starts at a young age and can be explored beginning in elementary school and with the help of parents, teachers, and community businesses.

Students located in Bay County can use Opportunity Connection to begin their exploration of their future. We can provide classroom speakers and help find students internships and other opportunities.

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It's Time to Get Into The Game!

Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Business and Education Partnership were founded as the Alliance for Bay County Schools and links businesses with the Bay County educational system. Both the Bay Area Chamber businesses and the representatives of area school districts work together to provide opportunities for our area students. Without sponsorships and financial gifts this partnership cannot exist.

Education is a valuable tool that will make the students in our area better citizens and as it becomes a necessity in our lives, area businesses have a chance to become involved. Programs provided by the Business and Education Partnership bring students, educators, and the people from the business world together, giving everyone the ability to learn from each other. Listed below are programs that are funded by the Business and Education Partnership.

DowGives

The communityGives component of DowGives creates an opportunity for Elementary, Middle School, and High School age groups, sports teams, and service clubs in the Great Lakes Bay Region to earn funding for priority projects through volunteerism. This is accomplished through the giving of grants to K-12 aged groups that complete a preapproved community volunteer activity and meet grant requirements.

By promoting volunteerism amongst today’s Elementary, Middle and High School aged youth, communityGives emphasizes the importance and value of community engagement to our region’s youth, and promotes a sense of community, along with a desire to give back. Youth groups can earn $500 for their programs while giving back to the community.

Youth Leadership Bay County

The 2012-13 program is seeking sponsors, each sponsorship of $250 allows one Bay County high school student enroll in this Bay Area Chamber of Commerce program.

Youth Leadership graduates say the program helped them:

• Gain college admission

• Earn scholarships

• Further interpersonal skills

• Understand this community

• Understand business

• Understand government

Mock Job Interviews

Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Business & Education Partnership will once again be coordinating a mock job interview program for Bay County high school students and we are in need of volunteers. Mock interviews are scheduled for October 10, 2012 at Bay City Western High School and October 25, 2012 at Central High School, beginning at 12:00p.m.

For more information or to become a volunteer to conduct mock job interviews with high school students, please contact Jo Ellen Strieter, Director of Education, Programs, and Events at 989.893.4567 or email her at joellen@baycityarea.com.

9th Annual Jerome L. Yantz Partner in Education Award

The Jerome L. Yantz Partner in Education Award recipient will be selected from nominations and we need your assistance in identifying potential business people or organizations that encourage community contributions in Bay County K-12 education. The criteria are outlined on the enclosed award nomination form.