Story Published:
Feb 19, 2008 at 4:47 PM CST
Story Updated:
Feb 19, 2008 at 8:07 PM CST
High School students from throughout the area have an opportunity to join an elite crowd.
The Peoria Park District today officially announced its Economic Leaders Integrating Trained Employable (ELITE) youth program.
Students will receive invitations to take part in the group. Once they commit to the program, the volunteers in this room will help them complete a 10-week training session.
After the participants graduate from ELITE, they will start interviewing for one of 200 part time jobs available to them.
Brent Wheeler says they're not trying to reach students who are already successful, but those who need a little motivation.
"They don't show a specific path, people don't know in general with these kids, if they're going backwards or forwards but we know their potential, then it's going to be our job to pull that potential out of them and send them down the right path."
Last year- the first year for the program- there were 58 graduates.
This year, group leaders are expecting about 200 students to finish the program.
