Utilities Dept. intern Isreal Gosier dismantles a pump. He is a participant in the Youth Violence Prevention Program.

Last week, Deputy Utilities Director Michael Low told me about a unique partnership between the Utilities Department and the Youth Violence Prevention Program in which participants in the program serve as Utilities Department interns. For the five youth, ages 17 and 18, who will graduate from the nine-week internship on Thursday, it was an opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge, skills and experience in how a water plant operates.

Michael talked enthusiastically about the internship program, and I thought it was something that the public should be aware of. So I contacted Palm Beach Post Boynton Beach reporter Lona O’Connor, who I’m glad agreed with me; she came earlier today, with a photographer, to do a story on the interns.

I caught up with Lona and her photographer in the Pump Shed at the East Water Treatment Plant, where the photographer was taking pictures of intern Isreal Gosier at work dismantling a pump together with a plant employee. Later, Lona would sit down with Isreal and some of the other interns to learn more about their experiences for the story.

Palm Beach Post reporter Lona O'Connor talks to Utilities Dept. intern Isreal Gosier.

YVPP is a grant funded program that targets risk factors that promote or contribute to teen violence. It is part of a countywide initiative that supports five municipalities at greatest risk for future violence.

While the partnership is a win-win situation for both the Utilities Department and the YVPP, the real winners are the youth who participate in the internship program. They deserve the credit and recognition for their hard work and dedication that their story in the Palm Beach Post will bring to them. We look forward to reading it. Michael says the Utilities Department plans to continue the internship program.