Deloitte and United Way Brought Students Together to Make a Difference in Miami Through Alternative Spring Break
Program addressed youth unemployment by connecting young adults with business professionals while serving the local community
MIAMI, March 26, 2015 /3BL Media/ -- As millennials across the United States face an unemployment rate of more than 12 percent, a group of more than 40 students from universities around the country participated in "Maximum Impact: Deloitte's Alternative Spring Break," organized jointly by Deloitte, United Way of Miami-Dade and United Way Worldwide. The program provided an opportunity for students to make a positive impact in the Miami community while also working alongside Deloitte professionals to get an inside look at prospective careers in the professional services industry.
"Our work with Deloitte not only helps identify the next generation of leaders, but also empowers young people to become change agents within their communities," said Ryan Powers, Vice President of Communications, United Way Worldwide. "We've seen students who have participated in the Alternative Spring Break program go on to secure excellent jobs upon graduation and also take leadership roles beyond the life of the program, organizing service initiatives on their home campuses."
Since 2009, Americans aged 16-24 have experienced an unemployment rate of more than twice the national average for the general working population. According to recent estimates, youth unemployment costs the nation up to $25 billion every year and almost $5 trillion in aggregate lifetime costs to society, including unfulfilled earning potential, lost tax revenue, the impact of criminal activity and health expenditures.
"Alternative Spring Break provides college students with an inside look at what it's like to work at Deloitte – our culture of serving others, teamwork and personal passion for improving our communities," said Diane Borhani, director, Talent Acquisition Best Practices & Innovation, Deloitte Services LP. "We believe in supporting students, and we know that engaging them early is essential to ensuring their long-term success and the well-being of our economy."
Following last year's Alternative Spring Break program, 85 percent of college student participants affirmed that they would be more likely to volunteer in the future; and the positive impact on Miami youth was powerful as well. In 2014, college students worked in service sites, such as AMIKids – a non-profit that supports at-risk youth – to mentor children involved in the juvenile justice system. As a testament to the success of last year's program, AMIKids participated again this year.
Follow Deloitte on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DeloitteUniversity and on Twitter @LifeatDeloitte. Search #DeloitteASB and #educationtransforms to follow the action during Maximum Impact.
For more information about United Way, please visit: www.UnitedWay.org and follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/unitedway and on Twitter @unitedway. Search #UnitedWayASB to follow the action from United Way Alternative Spring Breaks around the nation.
About United Way
United Way is a worldwide organization of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries and territories. It advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality life. United Way mobilizes millions to action – to give, advocate and volunteer – to improve conditions in their local community. For more information about United Way, please visit: UnitedWay.org.
About Deloitte's Talent Strategy
As one of the nation's largest professional services organizations, our ability to attract, develop and deploy high-performing talent is critical to delivering superior performance and serving our clients with distinction. Our aim is to offer challenging work to our people, enhance their careers and fuel our business growth by fostering an environment where leaders thrive. This is a meaningful part of the Deloitte culture and a value understood, shared and recognized by our clients and our professionals. Please visit us at www.facebook.com/deloitteuniversity and follow us at @LifeAtDeloitte. For more information on Deloitte's award-winning Talent initiatives, please visit: www.deloitte.com.
As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.
Contact: Eileen Lin, Eileen.Lin@uww.unitedway.org or 703.836.7112 x 279
Clay Perschall, cperschall@deloitte.com or 312.486.5895
