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Naafee Rone has only a high-school diploma. That left the 23-year old from Baltimore’s east side to bounce between short-term jobs, including cleaning airplanes and working fast-food counters. Last year, he left the labor force to receive about five months of job training from NPower, a nonprofit serving young adults. After an internship, he was hired this year as a support analyst at Port Networks. He earns $17.50 an hour, more than he did at those prior gigs,
and works in an office tower overlooking the city’s Inner Harbor.

BALTIMORE – For high school graduates, the big question is what’s next?

If the answer isn’t college, finding the next step can be overwhelming. To help combat the stress, local programs are giving Baltimore students the opportunity to gain job experience while connecting employers with qualified young talent.

About six months ago, Maria German was a single mother unsure of her future. Wanting to provide a better life for her son, she knew she had to do something. That’s when she learned about NPower.

“It’s been life-changing,” said German. “They give you no excuse to not come to class, or to not do your work, or just to say I can’t do it because they’re just really helpful.”

Talayia has had to adhere to her own advice in order to get where she is today. After years of struggling, including bouts of homelessness, she has earned her GED and several certifications, attends college and is gainfully employed in the IT industry.