When ECS human resources administrator Cynthia Teagle first explored a partnership with WorkReady Philadelphia's summer internship program in 2007, she knew it was the right thing to do.
"Giving underserved kids a chance to gain work experience fits right into what we do as an agency," Teagle said. "It was also a way to get an understanding of this program as a potential opportunity for the teens we serve."
Still, some at the agency were skeptical about offering the paid internship, because 10 years before, a similar program had not met expectations. All that skepticism evaporated, however, when Nakeishia showed up.
"I was the first one to do the internship program at ECS and now they are continuing to do it every year. I guess I'm the door opener," said Nakeishia. "I loved working at ECS. I was doing lots of different things. I met a whole bunch of people and worked in every department. I filed, made copies, took minutes, packed toys for children and everything else."
Today, Nakeishia is entering her sophomore year at University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, where she is majoring in international business. Wisconsin may be 900 miles from home, but Nakeishia has set her sights a little further, making plans to complete a semester in Paris this year.
"They are going to require a study abroad, so I thought I should go ahead and do it now. I've had no experience with languages whatsoever, so I'm preparing on my own with an online program and books."
ECS was more than a first job for Nakeishia. After her internship was over, she joined the agency's Teens Taking Over group. Between the positive social experience and the support she received in the college application process, she is trying to get her younger sister to join the program too.
Nakeishia would almost certainly have been successful no matter what, but she says she has ECS to thank for helping her along the way, from work experience and encouragement to help in the college application process.
"Some people go to work and when their time is up, that's it. Not me. I reached out to everybody at ECS and they reached out to me. That's why I still come back to visit - this place opened up a lot of doors."
