Summer Jobs 253 Program Receives $20,000 Grant from State Farm

State Farm Insurance Agents Tony Brooks and Wendi Thomas presented the City of Tacoma with a $20,000 check on behalf of State Farm on April 7.

The grant funding from State Farm is the largest private sponsorship the Summer Jobs 253 program has received to date. 

“State Farm strongly supports providing high school students with the opportunity to acquire life skills, work experience and to earn high school credit. The additional opportunity for the students to gain financial literacy and to learn about work place etiquette places the [Summer Jobs] 253 program squarely at the top of our list for support,” Thomas said in a presentation to the City Council on Tuesday night.

The program, which receives funding from the City, also relies on community partnerships and participating employer contributions to serve Tacoma high school incoming juniors and seniors.

“Having a marquee sponsor like State Farm will help attract more sponsors and highlight that a Fortune 50 company believes in the value of Summer Jobs 253,” Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland said.” We're so glad to have them in Tacoma, and we're honored to have them as a partner.”

This year the program is expecting to serve 150 students who will be placed with local employers to gain work experience, earn up to two high school credits and learn financial literacy and workplace skills.

The program is still accepting employer applications to host a student until May 1, as well as program sponsors to join State Farm. For more information contact Sarah Atchison at satchison@reachtacoma.org or visit the website atsummerjobs253.com.

Above: Pictured from left to right: Christopher Wright, City of Tacoma; Tony Brooks, State Farm; Mayor Marilyn Strickland, City of Tacoma; Wendi Thomas, State Farm