Cornerstone Communities
What is a Cornerstone Community?
GPP operates under the belief that all sectors of society have responsibly for the success of children. A community becomes a GPP Cornerstone Community when their local political, educational, business and community leadership come together to support the implementation and operation of a local GPP site(s).
What exactly is requested of each sector of the community?
1. Political - City and/or County
a. Endorses GPP
b. Helps convene a Cornerstone Meeting of the correct “movers and shakers”
c. Hires GPP students in city and/or county departments
2. Business - Chamber/Economic Development
a. Endorses GPP
b. Presents GPP as a workforce development strategy to members and other contacts
c. Schedules meetings between key employers and GPP
3. Business - Companies and Agencies
a. Employs GPP students
b. Supports the GPP program by providing mentors, life skills, and/or funding
c. Offers field trips for GPP students
4. Education - School System
a. Endorses GPP as a strategy for Non-Traditional Work-based Learning
b. Identifies a lead contact within the school system and school(s) for the GPP program, usually the Work-based Learning (WBL) coordinator
c. Identifies a pool of students who fit the rubric for GPP participation
d. Uses the Work-based Learning number assigned to GPP by the GA DOE for GPP students to ensure they receive academic credit
5. Community - Non-profits, Individuals, Colleges and Universities (TCSG & USG)
a. Employ GPP students
b. Provide mentors for GPP students
c. Facilitate life skills sessions
d. Identifies other possible employers
e. Funding
What is GPP’s Role?
Once a community embraces GPP and determines that they want to implement the program, we work with all sectors of the Cornerstone Community to ensure successful implementation of a local GPP worksite. GPP does the following:
1. Political/Community
a. Attends Cornerstone Community meetings to present GPP and answer questions
b. Helps identify community partners for the GPP program
2. Education
a. Trains WBL coordinator and other key school staff on implementing a GPP site
3. Business – Chamber/Economic Develop
a. Attends meetings to present GPP to members and answer questions
b. Attends one-on-one meetings with key employers
4. Business – Employers
a. Helps identify appropriate jobs for GPP students
b. Helps with implementation challenges of GPP model, if any (mentoring, life skills)
c. Trains the first group of mentors and supervisors regarding working with teenagers
d. Trains the Trainer for future mentors and supervisors
