Labor Commissioner Albert Bryan Jr. and members of his staff were recently joined by invited guests and well-wishers in congratulating 25 interns who had participated in the department’s Labor Investing for Tomorrow (LIFT) summer internship program. The event was held at Government House on St. Croix on Friday, Aug. 5, according to a press release issued Tuesday by the V.I. Department of Labor.
The reception highlighted the 22-year history of the LIFT program and focused on the leadership of the department in providing a popular internship opportunity for Virgin Islands youth. The initiative has served over 500 college students since its inception in 1989. Referencing the success of the program, Commissioner Bryan noted that the initiative has paved pathways forward for youth, enabling additional professional opportunities for students. “This program provides young Virgin Islanders with the opportunity to gain the necessary hands-on experience, networking contacts and vision to come back home to give back to the community. The experience gained is truly invaluable and helps youth navigate their next steps, an especially important support in this competitive job market.”
The LIFT program enables participants to obtain hands-on experience in their respective fields, including health promotion, early childhood education, physics, nursing and other disciplines. The 2011 interns were placed in various agencies throughout the territory, including: VITEMA, Inner Changes for Boys and Girls Council, V.I. Energy Office, Juan Luis Hospital, Department of Finance, Department of Justice, Upward Bound, Office of the Delegate to Congress and the Miss Virgin Islands Scholarship Organization.
This year, LIFT participant Jenelle Pehna interned at the Roy Lester Schneider Community Health Clinic for eight weeks. Her experience allowed her to expand her professional horizons and gain a new understanding of the work environment at the St. Croix facility. “I understood what it was like to deal with the needs of the public, working with limited resources and time limitations, yet this has motivated me to come back to the Virgin Islands and give back to the community.” Pehna has already been presented with the opportunity to return in the spring semester for another internship with the Department of Health.
During Friday’s ceremony, program founders, including former Commissioner Luis Llanos and former Assistant Commissioner Carol M. Burke, were presented with plaques and praised for their efforts since the program’s inception. Both reminisced on the start of the program as “a need to inspire students to choose a career path.” Llanos said, “Today is a testament to the integrity of LIFT as it has stood up to change and endured through those who have come and gone.”
In addition, the program’s first LIFT Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Gizette Canegata-Thomas Esq., chairman of the Casino Control Commission, for her contributions to the community and to the LIFT program in particular. Thomas was a member of the program’s inaugural session in 1989 and later ran the program for three consecutive years. “The experience and many networking opportunities are a contributing factor to whom I have become today,” said Thomas.
Other former LIFT participants in attendance included: Senator Sammuel Sanes, Oren Bowry, Commissioner Alicia Barnes, Shana Richards, Evelyn Samson and Robert Malloy. Congresswoman Christiansen commented on how meaningful a summer experience can be and commended her intern, Joel Walker, on a successful eight weeks. “As we saw how Congress has cut funding for summer jobs this year; I must commend the deJongh/Francis Administration for their support and continued funding of this program,” stated Christiansen.
This year’s interns from St. Thomas included: Annathar Alexander, Sade Barlette, Tinika Christopher, Amanda Francis, Sakeeda Freeman, Amad Martin, John McDonald, Cameron Phillip, Jenelle Penha, Latisha Ramsey, Herminus Reid, Corelle Rogers, Mpho Sello and Regina Watson; from St. Croix: LaDia Carrington, Orniqua Edney, Jenny Francois, Xiomara Garcia, Taniya Laurencin, Rashida Rawlins, Leah Rogers, Amor Royer, Joel Walker and Olani Venterpool; and from St. John: Elisa Williams.
The LIFT program is geared towards students who are currently enrolled as a college junior, senior or as a graduate student. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.80 on a 4.00 scale and must be between the ages of 18 – 25. A 250 word essay is also required and is a key selection criterion.
Individuals who may be interested in participating in the program can visit the department’s Web site at www.vidol.gov for additional information or call the department at 776-3700 on St. Thomas or 773-1440 on St. Croix.
Applications for the 2012 program will be accepted from February 1-April 1, 2012.