Local business owner empowers Fort Gaines youths in summer work-study program

FORT GAINES – In a venue here normally reserved for Bingo games or movie nights, five high school students and their families gathered to celebrate a feat that had never been done before in the small town of less than 1,000 residents.

Cameron Banks, Ariana Spann, SeDarius Gaston, Dennis Johnson, Tiger Stuckey, Jamilah Williams and Jaybreon Williams successfully participated in the first-ever work-study program hosted by Trasontra Williams, owner of 2 Scoops and a Dog – a restaurant with locations throughout southwest Georgia and East Alabama. The students joined each other in the Arts and Recreation Council of Fort Gaines building on a recent Saturday afternoon to celebrate their experience and receive payment for their hard work throughout the summer.

Williams opened the first 2 Scoops and a Dog location in Camilla 21 years ago. The Fort Gaines location opened in March. She said she thought of the summer work-study opportunity as a way to engage high school students in an area where there aren’t many enriching activities for them to take part in.

“I think in an area where we’re demographically suppressed, when it comes to not having outlets or resources, things like this are very impactful,” she said. “There’s nothing for children to do in Fort Gaines – entertainment, resources … nothing.”

Fort Gaines is situated in Clay County, which has a population of about 2,800, according to the 2022 census count. Twenty-six percent of Clay County’s population lives below the poverty line, a number that is about double the national average and consistent with neighboring counties.

The county is the only one in Georgia that does not have a high school for its students. These youths travel to attend schools in nearby counties.

Williams said she saw this need for activities for young people and invited students to participate in 2 Scoops and a Dog’s first work-study program. The students worked over the span of a month in the Fort Gaines shop. They worked the cash register, completed food preparation, facilitated a lemonade stand and served customers along with other miscellaneous tasks around the small store.

Most of all, Williams said the students learned how to conduct themselves in a professional work environment – dressing well, showing up on time and committing to a schedule.

Only one student successfully came in each day – even with an injured foot – and was awarded a special bonus. Johnson, a 17-year-old Calhoun High School student, traveled from Edison several days a week to work.

Johnson said he just wanted to try something different for the summer and was looking for a good work opportunity. His mother, Brandy Johnson, said more programs like it are needed in the area to give young people something to do and keep them out of trouble.

She said it also helped her shy son learn valuable people skills.

“The best time to start is now,” she said. “Money helps push them, but it’s not all about the money. It’s about the knowledge you’re walking away with at the end of the summer.”

Spann, a 16-year-old Randolph-Clay High School student, said this was her first time participating in such a program but not her first time thinking ahead about her career.

Spann calls herself an “up-and-coming entrepreneur” as she’s operated a hair care and baking business. She said she felt called to apply to the program because she wanted something to do over the summer in a town where it can feel like there isn’t much to do.

“I don’t like sitting around, and I’m a very adventurous person,” Spann said.

She said the work-study program helped her learn how to compose herself and communicate respectfully with older customers. Her mother, Shaundra Spann, said it was a great experience for the young people in the area.

“It’s a small community, and they don’t have a lot to offer,” she said. “Getting to learn work ethic … and how to be in a work environment will help them in the future.”

During the Saturday celebration, students heard from guest speaker Letitia Burks, the director at Rutledge State Prison, who spoke on the importance of strong work ethic and programs that teach it.

“We need more of this,” she said. “I wish this room was full.”

Burks said the current education system is lacking in lessons on professionalism. She told students and families not to take the skills they learned this summer lightly.

“What you did this summer is setting you up for entrepreneurship,” Burks said.

Williams’s business fronted the expenses to put on the summer program; however, when another area business heard about the program, Williams said she received a $2,500 donation to help with the program.

She said she feels it’s important to instill these work skills in youths and that she hopes more businesses in the community think about starting a similar program.

“Imagine … more people getting involved – I think we could move children from being on the streets, getting into trouble,” Williams said. “This program kept them safe.”

She said with more businesses participating, the community can move from seven children to 50 children impacted.

Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganStaff Photo: Lucille Lannigan

Staff Photo: Lucille Lannigan