Ophelia Davis, left, and Cathy Mack listen as Gary Highfield talks to kids during a mentoring program at The Greater Chattanooga Housing Resource Center.The Chattanooga Housing Authority is exposing public housing teenagers to career choices, offering them role models and an opportunity to get a job.
The deal includes a $300 stipend for all youths who complete the Destiny program and a job opportunity for those with the aptitude for the work.
“We’re trying to reach residents with a holistic approach to provide them access to resources,” said Carol Johnson, CHA’s director of resident services. This is the first time the Chattanooga Housing Authority has made such an offer to public housing teenagers.
But out of 270 invitations sent to youths ages 13 to 18, only 15 teens responded. And only 11 of them showed up for CHA’s interview.
These 11 students will be program pioneers, said CHA officials.