Local seventh grader wins “PFCU Get to Work Award” for career project at Share Your Spark
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union partners with Spark in Philadelphia to encourage young people to prepare for workforce success
PHILADELPHIA, PA (May 22, 2019) — Last night, more than 100 seventh-grade students from four Philadelphia schools gathered for “Share Your Spark”, the culmination of a 13-week workplace-based mentoring program through Spark, a career exploration and mentoring nonprofit.
The organization’s annual project-fair style event gives students an opportunity to present Career Interest Projects they developed alongside a professional mentor. Share Your Spark also celebrates students’ accomplishments with an awards ceremony attended by their peers, community members and partners, like Philadelphia Federal Credit Union(PFCU), which sponsored the PFCU Get to Work Award to recognize a student whose project is geared toward helping young people prepare for workforce success.
“At PFCU, we believe in helping people, creating strong communities, and supporting Philadelphians,” said Elaine Melchiorre, vice chair of the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. “Like Spark, PFCU is dedicated to preparing students for the job market of the 21st century.”
Melchiorre presented the inaugural PFCU Get to Work Award to Brooklyne, a seventh-grader at S. Weir Mitchell School who worked with mentors from KPMG to create a business plan for a Parisian food truck complete with merchandise and a menu.
“Given Brooklyne’s attention to detail, thorough market research, and commitment to her vision, I have no doubt we’ll be seeing great things from this future entrepreneur,” said Melchiorre. “Perhaps Brooklyne will even apply for her first small business loan with PFCU!”
Throughout the 2018-19 school year, Spark mentors – including architects, web developers, and engineers – have amassed more than 4,400 volunteer hours to keep middle school students on track for success. PFCU will build upon its relationship with Spark in the 2019-2020 school year to further support the organization’s career exploration and self-discovery programming that helps students build critical skills necessary for future success.
Tara O’Neill and Jamie Gumina of KPMG; Brooklyne Spraggins, S. Weir Mitchell School; Elaine Melchiorre, Executive Board Vice Chair of PFCU; and Jeff Ryan, Executive Board Chair of Spark celebrate PFCU’s Get to Work Award at the Share Your Spark event on May 20, 2019.
About Philadelphia Federal Credit Union
Founded in 1951, PFCU is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution serving Philadelphia and Columbia County, Pa. PFCU is among the top five credit unions in the Greater Philadelphia area, with 11 branch locations, more than $1 billion in assets, over 119,000 members, and more than 400 Partner Groups. PFCU returns its profits to members in the form of higher dividend rates, lower loan rates, better services, and investment in the community. For more information, visit www.pfcu.com and connect with PFCU on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Spark is a Career Exploration and Self-Discovery Program that gives middle school students opportunities to understand, experience and pursue what’s possible for their future. Spark is leading The Possibility Movement by bringing together diverse communities of families, schools and companies who care, share, teach and inspire. Spark Lab, Spark Mentorship and Spark High School Pathways use workplace experiences, mentoring and guided support to help students in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia explore careers, build skills and find the right path to a successful future.
Spark in Philadelphia partners with Philadelphia schools including S. Weir Mitchell School, Middle Years
Alternative, Boys’ Latin Charter School, and Henry C. Lea. For more information visit sparkprogram.org.
