CLEVELAND, May 22, 2006 - Mayor Frank G. Jackson and the City of Cleveland will welcome Linking Employment Abilities & Potential (LEAP), and its Job Link Program to offer a career day for approximately 30 area students at an event in the Rotunda of City hall on Monday, May 22, 2006 at 11:00 AM.  

LEAP is an organization that helps to maximize opportunities for people with disabilities. A group of 11th graders from the program will shadow City of Cleveland employees at numerous locations in order to explore career opportunities.  Students were matched with City employees based on their personal interests including:  health, sports, communications, janitorial engineering, public safety, public utilities, food service, the arts, and others.   

The day will begin with a welcome from Mayor Jackson. Immediately following, hosts will accompany students to their offices for the day.  City employees are being encouraged to share their personal experiences, answer questions, and allow the students to experience a “typical work day.”  

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to serve as examples and to show Cleveland’s youth the numerous opportunities Cleveland has to offer.  In turn, we have the chance to learn from those who have to overcome incredible obstacles as they prepare for life after graduation,” stated Mayor Jackson.  “We are pleased to provide such a mentoring opportunity.”  

LEAP’s Job Link Program assists youth with disabilities to make a successful transition from school to work.  It offers school based services in six Cleveland Municipal High Schools (Glenville, JFK, Lincoln West, Max Hayes, Rhodes, and South), community based work experiences, summer employment, and year round youth employment and development services.