For Mt. Laurel resident Stacy Holland, her work in connecting employers with thousands of Philadelphia youth was never for the accolades. But even Holland will admit getting invited to the White House for recognition of that work is a tremendous honor.
“The award, the experience, really every part is wonderful,” Holland said, “but what is even better for me is that it brings awareness to an issue that is very important in our society. Investing in our teenagers and our young people is critical. All it takes is one adult connecting with one teenager, and that can be life-altering. That is what this award is about for me.”
In a ceremony held Sept. 25, Holland was honored as a “Champion of Change.”
The Champions of Change program was initiated by President Obama and his administration as a way for the White House to showcase individuals, as well as businesses and organizations,
for the work they are doing to better and inspire their communities.
Since 2003, Holland has run the WorkReady program at the Philadelphia Youth Network, an organization she co-founded. In just this summer alone, the nonprofit organization helped more than 7,000 young people begin careers in education, health care and finance. WorkReady is about giving young people the exposure to be advocates for themselves. Holland said WorkReady exposes students to the everyday skills required for the workplace, such as responsibility, accountability and time management.
“We are training the next generation of workers,” she explained. “They are getting a first hand look at what it means to be an adult.”
A focus of Obama’s administration has been on trying to jumpstart the economic recovery by boosting job creation for young Americans.
The president issued the “Youth Jobs+” challenge to engage elected officials, businesses and communities to connect young people with job opportunities.
In addition to Holland, nine other individuals were selected for their work in creating job opportunities for their community’s students and other young people.
“The work of these individuals and organizations has been vital in promoting youth employment, creating jobs and providing young people with the skills they need to be successful,” said Danielle Gray, an assistant to the president. “Following on the president’s call to action, these ‘Champions of Change’ have helped connect young people with jobs and skills, creating opportunities in communities across this country.”
Holland grew up in Willingboro before attending The College of New Jersey and then Columbia University on her way to the Philadelphia Youth Network.
Starting as a small nonprofit, Philadelphia Youth Network has grown into an independent entity integrating services and building systems that promote positive post-secondary and economic outcomes for young people. It serves more than 17,000 youth yearly.
Holland has since left the network, but her work preparing youth for college and careers will continue, as she just began her new role as chief of strategic partnerships at the School District of Philadelphia.
