Imprimis was honored and excited to be part of the first-ever Dallas Police Department’s summer jobs program for teens. One of Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall’s strategies is to collaborate with business leaders and community stakeholders to capture at-risk youth who have no positive extracurricular activities during the summer and give them a job with either the DPD, City of Dallas or one of several nonprofits.

This program envisioned by Chief Hall gave over forty 15-year old DISD students from southern Dallas the opportunity for work experience, mentorship, inspiration, and paychecks. This program was coordinated by Safer Dallas/Better Dallas and is a partnership between businesses, government entities, and nonprofits including AT&T, Target, Mark Cuban Foundation, Pepsico, United Way, Dallas ISD, City of Dallas Youth Commission, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Workforce Solutions, Dallas Regional Chamber, Dallas Parks and Recreation, and Flying Cross. Imprimis employed 43 of these students and Vice President Julie Stephens talked with the students about resume writing and interview presentations. Julie and Imprimis recruiter Andre Hooper also attended all of the Mentorship Mondays where all of the students in the program gathered for educational programs before starting the work week.

One of the students, Katelayn Vault (above), was a star student in the program. She is a rising sophomore at Townview’s Law Magnet High School. Katelyn’s goal is to become a lawyer.

The program’s conclusion was a graduation celebration at Punch Bowl Social where the students were gifted with backpacks, tablets and school supplies.

Thanks to all of the sponsors, employers, counselors as well as the Dallas Police Department and Safer Dallas Better Dallas. The Dallas Police Department, through this program, seeks to build trust and long-term positive engagement in underserved neighborhoods.

Judging from the smiles and cheers at the graduation, this program is achieving those goals.

Calvert Collins-Bratton, President, Safer Dallas Better Dallas said, “The success of this internship program would not have been possible without Imprimis. From the very first email and phone call, Valerie and her team were incredibly helpful, and came up with ideas and solutions we had not thought of. We will certainly look to partner with Imprimis many more times in the future.”

Safer Dallas is a nonprofit community organization which raises funds for much needed tools and programs to support the Dallas Police Department and make our city Safer and Better. To learn more, go to www.saferdallas.com.