Volunteers, community leaders teach career skills during Exelon’s seven-month Stay in School Mentoring Workshops

CHICAGO – State Rep. Annazette Collins (10th - District) addressed students from Austin, Bronzeville and Humboldt Park during Exelon’s seven-month Exelon Stay in School Mentoring Workshops program on Saturday, January 26. She stressed the importance of education and graduation in creating a solid path for future career opportunities.

“Each and every one of these students has to think of themselves as a future leader and understand that education is the foundation for any success.  Today, they are benefiting from the investments of Exelon, their volunteers, and well-respected community agencies that are helping them understand valuable career skills.  Now, it’s up to the students to translate their knowledge into academic achievement.  And I know they can do it,” said Rep. Collins.

Fidel Marquez, vice president of external affairs for Exelon’s ComEd subsidiary, applauded Rep. Collins for her leadership in the community and for taking the time to speak with the students about her personal experiences and commitment to education.
 
“Community leaders and role models like Rep. Collins give these students first-hand exposure to leaders from their communities who succeeded because of an unequivocal commitment to education,” said Marquez.

Approximately 55 students, Exelon employees and community agency professionals participated in the third session of the Exelon Stay in School Mentoring Workshops program, designed to build business basics in networking, presentation and interviewing skills for the participating students.  The program reflects a partnership between Exelon, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, and three United Way community partners:  B.U.I.L.D., Inc., Centers for New Horizons and Youth Guidance.  At the completion of the program, five students will be selected for paid summer internships at Exelon, United Way, and the three community partners

The workshop featured team-building exercises to highlight the importance of diversity in the workplace.  A drawing also was held for tickets to local sporting and cultural events.  During the program, Exelon supplies professional portfolios with notebooks and project planners to students so they can keep track of their progress and assignments. 

The students all are current participants in Exelon-sponsored “Stay in School” programs at Frederick Douglass Academy (Austin), Wendell Phillips Academy (Bronzeville), Ames Elementary (Humboldt Park), Burr Elementary (Humboldt Park), Chopin Elementary (Humboldt Park/Garfield Park), Clemente High School (Humboldt Park), Jose De Diego Community Academy (Humboldt Park), Kelvyn Park (Humboldt Park), North-Grand High School (Humboldt Park/Hermosa), Orr Campus (Humboldt Park/Garfield Park) and Wells Community Academy (Humboldt Park/West Town).

Stay in School Mentoring Workshops is an Exelon employee volunteer program designed to support Exelon’s Stay in School Initiative.  Students from at-risk communities who are participating in the Stay in School Initiative are given life lessons on how to stay on a successful track at their schools through tutoring and mentoring activities provided in their communities. Both programs underscore a focus on innovation in education.

Exelon received the prestigious Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership for its Stay in School Initiative during a December 2007 ceremony at the White House.  It is the only Presidential Award recognizing companies for outstanding achievement in employee and community relations.

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Exelon Corporation is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities with approximately $19 billion in annual revenues.  The company has one of the industry’s largest portfolios of electricity generation capacity, with a nationwide reach and strong positions in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.  Exelon distributes electricity to approximately 5.4 million customers in northern Illinois and Pennsylvania and natural gas to approximately 480,000 customers in the Philadelphia area.  Exelon is headquartered in Chicago and trades on the NYSE under the ticker EXC.