JaKwan Tamper and Olivia Blakney, both upcoming seniors at Woodlawn High School, have spent the past two summers preparing for the rest of their lives.

As participants in YWCA Central Alabama’s CREW (Creating Responsible Educated Working teens) program, they’ve learned what it takes to be good employees, toured college campuses, practiced their interview skills and learned to budget money.

“What they’re teaching us here can last a lifetime,” Olivia said. “Most teens don’t get the experience that we do here, and I want to take advantage of it. It’s building me up to get ready for my future.”