The month of August kicked off at the Columbia-Richland Fire Department with our annual graduation for teens that took part in this summer’s Youth Empowerment Academy.
Each teen received their certificate of completion for the program during a ceremony held in the fire museum at CRFD Headquarters on Friday August 2. Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins and Columbia Urban League President James T. McLawhorn Jr. presided over the graduation.
Teens who attended the academy were all selected by the Columbia Urban League and spent two weeks at the fire department getting an inside look at their community fire service.
“I continue to be incredibly grateful for our partnership with the Urban League that helped create this opportunity for our area youth,” said Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, “The Youth Empowerment Academy has now been held for three straight summers here at CRFD and it is meeting its goal of exposing teens to career opportunities in the fire service. I’m thrilled to say that several kids have come out of this year’s program with a desire to one day serve their fellow citizens as first responders.”
During their time at the academy, the teens took part in several sessions that had the focus of teaching them skills they could use to help their communities in times in need. This included a class in how to provide basic medical care like perform CPR, use an automated external defibrillator (AED) or apply a tourniquet.
Other sessions at the academy provided tips for personal well-being and career success. This included classes on resume writing and interview skills.
The Columbia Urban League, which selects teens for the academy each year, is a multi-service, non-profit agency that promotes financial stability and racial inclusion in our communities. Programs that promote education, youth empowerment and economic and quality of life empowerment are just a few offered by the Urban League.
Congratulations to the graduates of this summer’s CRFD Youth Empowerment Academy!
Jaxon Jones Myles Mayers
Altariq McDuffie Lorenzo Valentine
NyAsia Mitchell Trinity Miller
Zakyra Bouknight Kaliyah Bouknight
Kvion Bouknight Kaleb Haynie
Kameron Haynie Kamari Blassingame
