School-to-prison pipeline beaten with pipeline to leadership

Treat a student like a criminal, and you will get a criminal. But treat a student like a civic-minded, socially aware community activist, and you will get a leader.

This philosophy is the basis for the Boston Branch NAACP Summer Job Pipeline to Leadership Program. The eight-week program is open to full-time students ages 14-20 in the Greater Boston area who are available to work at least six weeks this summer.

Participants, known as “pipeliners,” work 20-hours-a-week registering voters, attending community and government meetings, and participating in workshops and training programs.

Applications can be obtained at the Boston Branch NAACP office located in Roxbury. Completed applications and supporting documentation must be postmarked by June 6, for consideration.

The Pipeline program, now in its third year, was founded by Boston Branch NAACP President Michael Curry. According to the Museum of African American History, the Pipeline program has registered over 2,000 new voters in just two summer programs. Pipeliners are easy to spot in their bright yellow T-shirts.