Turning kids away from crime in Summit County with internship opportunities

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) - In Summit County, kids’ lives are being changed through an internship program giving young minds a chance to explore the real world and careers.

This is all a part of the county and City of Akron’s various initiatives to help young adults turn away from trouble and see how bright their futures are.

Intern Anthony Felding is spending his summer working closely with Akron city officials. He’s a student-athlete at Akron’s East High School. He wants to go to college and play football.

“I am working with the mayor. I didn’t even know who the mayor was before I got here, and like I am working with him. It’s pretty cool to me. It makes me real excited. I would not have thought a 17-year-old kid, I am helping out the city,” said Felding.

Denico Buckley-Knight is the City of Akron’s youth opportunity strategist. He helped bring the internship program to the city two years ago.

“One of the things that I am passionate about is making sure that the youth voice is elevated. Far too often, we as older adults think that we are the solutions to every problem in the world when the reality is the youth,” said Buckley-Knight.

Buckley-Knight has made it known to the students that their voices matter and they will be heard.

“I give my input on what they should do and how it can be better to help it,” said Felding.

The internships are paid. Students work 20 hours a week from Monday to Friday. Right now, internship applications are closed. But you can find new opportunities by clicking here.