Youth FOCUS

Operated through the Cherokee County School District, Cherokee Youth Focus is a federally funded program dedicated to the education and workforce preparation of Cherokee County youth between the ages of 14 and 21. This program is funded by the Atlanta Regional Commission and is staffed fulltime by two Workforce Training Specialists that work from both the Cherokee Career Resource Center and several local schools. Cherokee Youth Focus offers individualized services to selected youth in order to foster the skills necessary for a successful future. Potential services include:

    Career Assessment & Exploration (discovering skills, interests and abilities in establishing their career goals)

    Educational Assistance (tutoring, homework assistance, assistance in obtaining a GED, etc)

    Leadership Development Opportunities (developing community awareness and self-awareness)

    Employability Skills (preparing for and succeeding in employment)

    Paid & Unpaid Work Experiences and Summer Employment (through partnerships established with businesses

    employers, and organizations in the community)

Since Cherokee Youth Focus receives federal funding, participants in the program must meet certain criteria.

Interested Youth Must Be:

A Resident of Cherokee County

Age 14-21

Low Income

Must Meet a Barrier, such as:

Low Academic Skills Levels

Foster Child, Homeless, or a Runaway

Pregnant or Parenting Teen

Involved in the Juvenile Justice System

School Dropout

Requires Additional Assistance to Complete an Educational Program or Obtain Employment

*The Workforce Training Specialists will be able to determine eligibility based on information gathered in an intake session.

Contact Cherokee Youth FOCUS

Phone: 770-479-2666

Fax: 770-479-7905

Physical Address:

Cherokee Career Resource Center

160 Lee Street, Suite A

Canton, GA 30114

Mailing Address:

Cherokee County School District

Cherokee Youth FOCUS

P.O. Box 769

Amy Leatherman, Workforce Training Specialist

amy.leatherman@cherokee.k12.ga.su

Donna Darnell, Workforce Training Specialist

donna.darnell@cherokee.k12.ga.us