Midlands Education and Business Alliance Receives Donation from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation

September 5, 2007 – Midlands Education and Business Alliance (MEBA) is pleased to announce a $10,000 donation from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to help support MEBA’s premier program, Your Child Is Job #1.  The gift was presented at MEBA’s Annual Orientation held on Friday, August 31, 2007, at the Northeast Campus of Midlands Technical College, 151 Powell Road, Columbia. 

“Bank of America is pleased to continue its support of MEBA and the Your Child Is Job #1 program,” said Kim Wilkerson, South Carolina President for Bank of America.  “We believe this contribution will not only further MEBA’s mission of connecting education and business but also Bank of America’s mission to transform the Midlands community into a vibrant, desirable place for people to live, work and raise families.”

Your Child Is Job #1 is an employer-sponsored program offered at parents’ worksites.  The program presents Midlands parents with up-to-date information on career planning and development through seminars such as Understanding Career Clusters, The Tests Your Child Take and What They Mean, and Communicating with Your Child’s School. 

Bank of America’s generous gift will allow MEBA to:
• Help at least 500 parents understand their role in influencing their child’s education and career goals
• Provide parents with information on the many extended learning opportunities available to their child such as job shadowing, career mentoring, internships, career day events, and co-ops
• Boost career awareness among 50 parents through an extended learning field study
• Inspire parents to become proactive in educating their child about the many career options available and encouraging their child to choose a career that matches their interests, aptitudes and abilities

The Orientation also showcased MEBA’s activities and opportunities for the upcoming school year and celebrated its past successes.  Dr. Kaye Shaw, Coordinator of the Midlands Regional Education Center, and Mike Sisk, Chairman of the Midlands Regional Education Center, spoke with the group about the progress of the Regional Education Center and its connection to MEBA. 

To download photos from the event, please visit http://mebasc.com/gallery.main.php.

Midlands Education and Business Alliance
The Midlands Education and Business Alliance connects Midlands students, parents and educators to career opportunities through business partnerships, training and resources.  To learn more about MEBA, please visit our website at www.mebasc.com.

Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy
Bank of America has embarked on an unprecedented 10-year goal to give $1.5 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the quality and vitality of their neighborhoods.  The Bank of America Charitable Foundation will give more than $200 million in 2007, making the bank one of the most generous corporate donors in the world.  Bank of America approaches giving through a national strategy called neighborhood excellence under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities.  Through Team Bank of America, bank associate volunteers contribute more than 500,000 hours each year to improve the quality of life in their communities nationwide. 

For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.