First Lady Mary Perdue Announces "TeenWork" Initiative

Department of Human Resources Joins First Lady to Announce New Summer Job Program for Foster Care Teens

ATLANTA—First Lady Mary Perdue and Department of Human Resources Commissioner BJ Walker announced today the creation of TeenWork, a summer job initiative for Georgia foster teens. TeenWork will give foster teens unique opportunities for summer internships with state agencies and private corporations.

“TeenWork will provide a resource for Georgia's foster teens to develop skills in a professional environment,” said First Lady Mary Perdue. “Foster children of all ages need attention and support. This job program will be a tool that will help them to lead healthy, independent lives.”

Coca-Cola, Chick-Fil-A and Waffle House will join 35 state agencies to offer hundreds of summer jobs benefiting Georgia foster teens ages 14-21. Through TeenWork , the summer employment opportunities will provide teens in foster care with marketable skills and a supportive mentoring experience that will benefit both the employee and employer.

“Young people who have jobs while still in foster care are more successful at maintaining jobs and leading productive lives after they leave foster care. It is vital that we get our teens into work and other positive activities,” said Commissioner BJ Walker.

The TeenWork program is a project of the First Lady's Children's Cabinet. More information regarding the TeenWork Program can be found at http://teenwork.dhr.georgia.gov .

More About The Corporate Sponsors

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's best-known brand, The Coca-Cola Company markets four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light soft drinks, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees and sports drinks. Through the world's largest distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.coca-cola.com .

Chick-Fil-A is the nation's third largest quick-service chicken restaurant company and one of the largest privately held restaurant chains – with 1,125-plus restaurants in 37 states and Washington, D.C.  Chick-Fil-A is credited with introducing the original boneless breast of chicken sandwich and pioneering in-mall fast food.  For more information about Chick-Fil-A, please visit our website at www.chick-fil-a.com .

 Waffle House started as one small restaurant in 1955 with the goal of serving quality food to their neighbors and has grown to operate a system of more than 1,470 restaurants in 25 states and restaurants are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's). For more information about Waffle House, please visit our website at http://www.wafflehouse.com.