- December 23, 2024
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The Road to Success Youth Program reached its 350th graduate in November.
RTS, which began in September 2012, helps 16- to 24-year-olds who left high school earn their general education diplomas.
The classes at George Washington Carver Community Center in Bunnell are smaller than high school classes. The program has morning and afternoon sessions Monday through Friday. Students generally take three to six months to graduate.
“The RTS staff is one-on-one with students and supports what you do,” program graduate Grant Bredstrup said. “They are excellent mentors, and the program helped me succeed. … The smaller classes were beneficial and allowed the staff to get to know you on a personal level.”
RTS is an alternative for students who struggle in the traditional high school setting.
The graduation of 350 students demonstrates the success of the federally funded program, which is supported by the Flagler County School District and the George Washington Carver Foundation. RTS also has a contract with CareerSource Flagler Volusia to provide services to 50 young adults this year.
The main component of the program assists students with their academics so they can earn their diplomas. However, attention is also given to other areas that are beneficial to the youth: post-secondary educational opportunities, pre-employment skills, life training skills and paid internships.
Students also have opportunities to take food handler certification and CPR/First Aid/Automated External Defibrillator training and to participate in an eight-week student success class based on entrepreneurship.
Fully accomplished graduates of the program not only earn their GED but are also employed and/or enrolled in postsecondary education and/or the military.
For more information, please visit the RTS website at gwcarvercenter.com/rts/.
RTS is looking for worksite locations to place youth interns. RTS pays the interns’ salaries and workers compensation. If you have a business and would like to learn more about RTS’ paid internship program, contact Brian Willard, the program director, at 386-437-8279 or [email protected].
