YOUNGSTOWN – The Youngstown Business and Education Community Connectors, in partnership with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, ACTION, City of Youngstown, Eastern Gateway Community College, Youngstown City Schools and Choffin Career and Technical Center are hosting the Community Connections Kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Choffin Career and Technical Center Commons, 200 E. Wood St., Youngstown.

Parents, students and community members are invited to attend.

The program is part of Gov. John Kasich’s statewide Community Connectors school mentorship program, designed to give students access to role models and mentors by providing grants to help businesses and organizations partner with local schools. More than $6.8 million has been split between 82 community partnerships. The local effort was awarded $90,450.

Community Connectors is aimed at making students in 11th and 12th grades workforce ready by matching them with jobs and mentors, providing job shadowing, internship and externship opportunities, all within the local business community. Students in the program will learn basic jobs skills such as resume writing, interviewing techniques, time management, team collaboration and appropriate dress for the workplace.

“In order for students to be successful, they have to take these beginning steps,” said Nick Santucci, manager of Education and Workforce Development for the Regional Chamber. “We want the Youngstown kids to have every opportunity available to learn these steps and be successful.”

The kickoff event begins at 5 p.m. with refreshments, followed by a program and the opportunity to meet the teachers.

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by Sept. 18 to Amy Young, events coordinator, by emailing amy@regionalchamber.com or calling 330-744-2131, Ext. 12.