The City of Asheville and Buncombe County announced they will partner to provide area youth with meaningful eight-week internships this summer.

The City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA), created in April 2007, was designed to introduce Asheville High School students to civic-minded careers while encouraging them to take an active part in saving for their college education.

CAYLA students are chosen from eligible applicants at Asheville High School by a committee of local educators and city staff. Each student is required to submit an application and at least two written recommendations to the committee, and attend an in-person interview. After attending orientation in June, students will begin their internships in both City and County Departments, as well as with a number of participating nonprofits and businesses.

“The City is committed to offering Asheville’s youth valuable experiences that can enhance their education and their future careers,” said Mayor Terry Bellamy. “CAYLA is designed to help students take an active part in shaping our community and to become role models of leadership for their classmates.”

CAYLA students will earn approximately $7 an hour. To support their goal of attending college, CAYLA students will each receive $2,000 in a 529 College Savings Plan to be awarded by the Asheville City Schools Foundation at the completion of the program in May 2009. Buncombe County has allocated $25,000 to support the program’s development this year. “We are proud to partner with the City to give students the work experience that will help them succeed,” said County Commission Chairman Nathan Ramsey.

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