Sun Herald, Biloxi
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By Sun Herald Readers
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT, SEN. HYDE-SMITH
As director of programs for Gulfport’s Climb CDC, I am inspired every day by the growth and successes of our students. When our elected officials share that same excitement, extraordinary relationships begin.
In May, I had the distinct honor of meeting with Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., at her office in Washington, D.C., to talk about the great work being done in our YouthBuild program. YouthBuild is a community-based alternative education program that provides job training and education for people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are out of school or out of work.
Whether it’s through training for the construction, hospitality or culinary fields, we help our students find a path to success while earning their high school diploma or equivalency. One week after our meeting, Sen. Hyde-Smith visited our program, met with students and toured the campus.
This kind of support from our congressional delegation is essential to students such as 17-year-old Yashmere Smith, who enrolled in Climb CDC in 2018, eventually earning an externship with the South Mississippi Regional Center. She then began working toward passing the ACT test. She harnessed her strength and intellect also to obtain her high school diploma from West Harrison High School. She is now preparing for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test so she can join the military.
Our students find all variations of success. We thank Sen. Hyde-Smith for valuing them.
Jake Cook
Gulfport