History

Recognizing the need for under-served students to develop realistic career goals and realize the value of a high school education, EnterpriseWorks introduced the Career Center for Girls in 1999 funded by a grant from Fifth Third Bank.

In 2000, the program expanded to include boys and became the Career Center for Youth. During its five-year history, the Career Center for Youth has molded its curriculum to best serve middle school age students. This interactive program focuses on six stepping-stones to self-sufficiency while stressing the value of multiple intelligence and teaching essential life and work skills. The Career Center for Youth partners with Columbus City Schools and the Southwestern City school district.  This program receives funding form The Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services and Time Warner Cable.

In addition to the Career Center for Youth after school programs, EnterpriseWorks has served children since 2000 through the Summer Experience day camp. This week-long day camp is offered at no cost to qualifying students entering middle school who are residents of the CIty of Columbus. The focus of the Summer Experience camp is career exploration, financial literacy and nutrition and fitness.

The Career Center on Campus residential camp, based at the Ohio State University, began in 2004. This camp focusing on college preparedness, career exploration, and financial literacy and fitness is offered to TANF-eligible middle school age students who are residents of Franklin County, Ohio and is supported by the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services.

K.E.E.P. (The Kids Environmental Education Program) began in January 2006 with support received from the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services.  K.E.E.P. is a weekly after school program for fifth grade students that stimulates higher performance in science while increasing environmental awareness and providing exposure to environmental science careers.  The Women's Fund of Central Ohio and Time Warner Cable have joined as financial supporters of K.E.E.P.

EnterpriseWorks for Youth launched the K.E.E.P. Camp in July 2007.  This five-day, overnight camp immerses fifth and sixth grade students in hands-on environmental education in a wildlife setting.   Based at YMCA Camp Willson in Bellefontaine, Ohio, K.E.E.P. Camp guides participants through workshops, games, scientific investigation and recreational activities including supervised  lake swimming, fishing and horseback riding. Campers leave KEEP Camp with a solid knowledge of endangered species and habitats and proven methods for their preservation.

2005 marked our fifth anniversary and a name change from the Career Center for Youth to EnterpriseWorks for Youth, allowing us to incorporate all of our youth programs under one division. As of January 2008, over 1,100 children have benefited from involvement in EnterpriseWorks for Youth programs.