Kerrion Thedford, like many graduating seniors, plans to work this summer to earn money to pay for her college education. To do that, the Northeast Lauderdale senior is taking classes with the Boys & Girls Club of East Mississippi to learn the job skills she needs to succeed. 

“I’m going through it now and it’s awesome at helping you build community and team building skills,” said Thedford, who will study biomedical engineering at Mississippi State University in the fall. “It prepares you for working with kids in those situations.”

The program Thedford has been taking part in got a nod from the Meridian City Council Tuesday night, when the body agreed to contribute $172,000 to it. 

Ricky Hood, the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club,  brought more than 100 children helped by the organization to the meeting to show the council what they were approving.

“Sometimes it helps to see what you’re doing,” Hood said.

Hood asked the council to approve additional funding for the youth program, which is open to all students regardless of income. The Boys & Girls Club initially received a grant from the Mississippi Department of Human Resources for $422,000, funding teachers, computer classroom training and financial literacy programs for 25 to 30 students. The city pledged an additional $172,000, which Hood says will provide training for an additional 50 children this summer.

Hood said the program teaches students to be courteous, arrive early and be kind, and to not only get jobs – but to keep them. At the end of the program, each student will receive a job in the community, preferably at local nonprofits. Hood said working the 250 hours, at $8 an hour, will help young people living in low-income situations. 

“We have a large number that are working so they can help out at home,” Hood told the council. “So they can help out with bills.”

Meridian City Clerk and CFO David C. Whitaker said $129,000 of the funding will come from the legislative fund, with an additional $43,000 from the mayor’s budget. The council voted unanimously to approve the funding of $43,000 over a four-month period.

Moses Robinson, another student in the program, said he’s already seen results.

“It’s a helpful experience that allows youth to learn the skills they need to enter the workforce,” the Meridian High School junior said. “It helps you figure out what you want to do in life.”

Robinson said the financial literacy program has been especially beneficial.

“It’s really a great program for young people who don’t know how to save their money,” Robinson said. “If you’re buying something for yourself or that you like it teaches you to save for it in small increments instead all at once.”

After the council’s unanimous vote, the crowd burst into cheers and applause.

“I’m excited for the program to receive funding,” Hood said after the vote. “Our council stated today that they believe in our young people and that they deserve a chance.”