Sept. 6, 2024



Corporate Work Study Program kicks off its second year

Helix Mentorship Academy student Joshua Ray meets with his supervisor Marc Adams with the American Red Cross of Louisiana. Ray will be working at the Red Cross one day a week for up to six hours as part of the Corporate Work Study Program. .

Starting this week, 62 students at Helix Mentorship Academy in grades 10 through 12 went to work at 22 area businesses around Baton Rouge.

"I like that we get to explore different jobs and careers," said Hailey Dunbar, a junior who is working at Our Lady of the Lake Health.

"I think the program is amazing for my future and present," said Joshua Ray, a junior who is working at the American Red Cross of Louisiana. "I learn a lot."

The students are part of Mentorship's Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP). The program which is now in its second year is designed to give them valuable work experience and help employers enhance their diversity as well as provide cost-effective support to meet the demands of today's workforce.

As part of the program, students work one day a week -- Tuesday through Thursday -- for up to six hours. Employers participating in the program represent various industries including finance, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, and legal.

Marc Adams, a sponsor with the American Red Cross of Louisiana, supervises the student workers.

"I love it," said Adams, business operations and volunteer partner at the Red Cross. "The students help us with a lot of stuff that we don't have time to do. And it gives them an opportunity to learn about the emergency response field and how we help the community."

Helix obtained the program from Franciscan High School when it acquired the school in 2023. Mentorship had a similar program years ago, but the acquisition of Franciscan created a great opportunity to revitalize that internship program and take it to the next level. 

The signature program has been integrated into the downtown high school program and dubbed HMSA Business Park because of its business focus. Because the school operates on a different schedule, HMSA Business Park has its own principal, faculty and staff.

Angelica Collins is the director of the program. She and her staff help train the students and the supervisors who work with the students to make sure they are prepared and have everything they need to succeed.

"It's a wonderful program," Collins said. "We are so grateful to be able to provide this great opportunity for our students to gain practical skills while helping support the community too."

For rmore information, go to helixcommunityschools.org .

Second picture: The Corporate Work Study Program team includes (from left) Cary Payton, program manager; Donyelle Chaney, program manager; Angelica Collins, director; Elizabeth Stumpe, professional development coordinator, and Rhett Butler, director of development. Third picture: Some of our corporate sponsors recently attended an orientation to meet members of the CWSP team as well as learn more about the goals and expectations of the program.

Jerrod Webb is the parent liaison at Helix Mentorship Academy. In this role, he serves as a resource for parents to address any questions or concerns with the overall goal of improving student outcomes. He also teaches yearbook publication and serves as the Key Club faculty advisor. He has more than eight years of experience in education. Webb joined Helix in 2016, previously serving as the founding aerospace science instructor at Mentorship. Prior to joining Helix, he was a meteorologist in the United State Air Force for 21 years before he retired. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. We’re glad to have you on the team!

Are you ready for some football? Helix Mentorship Academy Sharks' football season is underway. Come out and cheer on the team!

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About Helix

Helix Community Schools is a homegrown charter school network headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana which includes Helix Mentorship Academy, Helix Aviation Academy, and Helix Legal Academy. Helix is set to open Helix Artificial Intelligence and Medical Academy in Opelousas, Louisiana in August 2025 and Helix Energy and Agriculture Academy in August 2026. At Helix, we are committed to exposing students to innovative college and career pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math (STEAM) and the law. For more information, go to helixcommunityschools.org