Youth Programs

Summer Youth Employment Program:

The youth employment program has successfully served the Sumter community since 1994, reaching well over 2,000 families in its lifetime. There are two award-winning options:

  • Youth Corps: Kids Ages 14 and 15 are hired to work in various departments of the City of Sumter government offices.
  • Youth Co-Op: Kids Ages 16 and above and in High School are hired by local businesses throughout the Sumter Community as part of our co-op program.

The program also offers training alongside the employment piece that focuses on the 17 principles of success training from Napoleon Hill (Hill, N. (2008, 1928). The law of success. Penguin). A parent and/or guardian is required to attend the workshops in conjunction with their child to maximize impact.

The workshops cover a variety of topics and offer various types of incentives for both students, parents, and guardians upon completion of the program. Topics include:

  • definiteness of purpose,
  • mastermind alliance,
  • applied faith,
  • going the extra mile,
  • pleasing personality,
  • personal initiative,
  • positive mental attitude,
  • enthusiasm,
  • self-discipline,
  • accurate thinking,
  • controlled attention,
  • teamwork,
  • adversity & defeat,
  • creative vision,
  • health,
  • budgeting time & money and
  • habits.

Students must live in the city limits and meet income requirements set by HUD.

Students may also pick up applications from the Liberty Center, 12 W. Liberty Street, Suite 4, Sumter, between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Please contact Carolet Thomas at 803-774-1652 or Clarence Gaines 803-774-1649 for additional information.

 

First Serve Program:

Palmetto Tennis Center’s First Serve Program is a scholarship program designed to provide an opportunity for Low to Moderate Income children between the ages of 5-18 to experience tennis.

Playing tennis in a fun, challenging and competitive environment that helps grow character while improving and maintaining physical and mental health, strength and agility.

First Serve players will participate within Palmetto Tennis Center’s regularly scheduled summer programming. Any unused slots will reopen for public registration.

If there are more applications than available slots, the center will provide a field trip session for ages 5-10 and 11-18 at $3 per child.

First Serve breaks down to an average of $240 per child, depending on age. The First Serve Summer Lesson Program is 16 lessons per child and includes a Wilson racquet, or there is also a 5-Day Summer Camp from 9am-Noon which also includes a Wilson racquet.

Application requirements include: parent/guardian’s contact information, current utility bill, driver’s license and a current financial statement.

Download the application here

or visit the Community Development Office located inside the Liberty Center at 12 W. Liberty Street, Suite 4.