The Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc. (CDC of Tampa) was awarded one of Hancock Whitney’s top competitive grants this week. The $25,000 award will provide 20 at-risk, low-to moderate-income youth the opportunity to dream big by participating in the Tampa Apprenticeship Program (TAP).
“This isn’t just a check presentation, it’s a celebration,” said Hancock Whitney Regional President Tim Coop. “The CDC of Tampa’s apprenticeship program is an innovative and modern approach to a time-tested training model, and it’s something other communities in our region could use for their own programs.”
Hancock Whitney recently presented at $25,000 check to The Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc. to support their Tampa Apprenticeship Program.
The program’s objective is to ensure that non-college-bound youth graduating from high school have the opportunity to pursue a post-secondary career path through career exploration and supportive services – with the end goal of placing them in an apprenticeship program with a local employer.
Through the program, youth learn skills in both the classroom and on the job under the tutelage of seasoned professionals in industries such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical and general contracting.
As part of their classroom training, the CDC of Tampa provides youth with the skills needed to go out and land their dream job – from building a resume and completing an application to preparing and dressing for an interviewing. Additionally, participants undergo a financial education training, which helps them to understand budgeting, checking and savings accounts, credit management and investing. As part of the financial education component, participants are also educated on the General Concepts of Entrepreneurship, which provides the basics of entrepreneurship and an understanding of what is required to successfully run their own business.
The 20 program participants will be selected from Middleton High School and Tampa Bay Tech High School in Hillsborough County.
As part of the celebration, students shared their dreams for the future in their chosen career paths and signed the Hancock Whitney “I Dream to...” board. A permanent installation will be at the CDC of Tampa for all program participants, now and in the future, to share what they dream to do with their careers after completing the apprenticeship program.
Students share their dreams on the Hancock Whitney "I Dream to..." board.
“Each day, we reaffirm our mission to help people achieve their financial goals – but most importantly, their dreams,” said Tim Coop. “We are excited to play a role in providing an opportunity to these youth and to see all they will do in their careers in the years to come."
For the second year in a row, Hancock Whitney, in partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation, awarded competitive grants to help nonprofits broaden community development efforts across the five Gulf South states the bank serves.
Through the program, a total of $200,000 was awarded to 16 eligible 501 (c)(3) organizations – with the CDC of Tampa being a top winner. The CDC of Tampa was established in May 1992 as a not-for-profit community development corporation to alleviate poverty and physical deterioration in East Tampa neighborhoods.
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