By JAIME LANE, Make an Impact Foundation
Lake Norman’s Growth Demands Innovation—And the Community Is Rising to the Challenge
As the Lake Norman region experiences record growth—a staggering 53% population increase in just the past decade—local leaders are stepping up with bold solutions to secure the region’s economic future. At the heart of this effort is the Kids Work Internship Program, powered by the Make an Impact Foundation (MAIF). What began as the PIVOT Internship under Lake Norman Economic Development has evolved into a transformative experience for students—and a powerful tool for strengthening local businesses.
Recognizing the tremendous impact of the program and the passion behind it, Dale Gilmore, founder of MAIF, made a long-term commitment to keep it alive and thriving. To do so, Dale partnered with Jaime Lane, the original leader of the PIVOT Internship with LNED, whose vision and leadership helped shape the program from the beginning. Together, Dale and Jaime reimagined and relaunched the initiative as Kids Work, expanding its scope and deepening its community impact across the Lake Norman region.
Now backed by the dedicated MAIF team—including Deborah McKee and Clarissa Young—Kids Work continues to open doors for young people while addressing workforce needs across the region.
A Summer That Changes Everything
The Kids Work Internship Program offers a 160-hour paid summer internship for students ages 16–18 in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties. This isn’t just a summer job—it’s a life-changing experience.
Interns are matched with local businesses in industries ranging from advanced manufacturing and skilled trades (like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical) to human resources, marketing, logistics, IT, and engineering. Students gain hands-on experience while building valuable career connections.
But that’s only part of the story. The program also includes professional and personal development workshops, covering soft skills like:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Professional etiquette
- Financial literacy
To eliminate barriers, the program provides transportation, lunch, and uniform allowances, making participation accessible to all—regardless of background or income.
Why Local Businesses Are Key to Success
Community businesses are the backbone of the Kids Work program. By hosting interns, companies:
- Build a pipeline of future talent
- Create leadership opportunities for current employees
- Give back to the local community
And MAIF makes it easy. They handle onboarding, payroll, and logistics, so businesses can focus on mentoring without administrative hassle. Sponsorships are also available for those wanting to make an even greater impact.
“If you have a great pipeline, then you have a great platform for business.”
— Jaime Lane, Manager, Kids Work & MY Corporate Impact
Broadening Horizons for Students
As Jaime Lane often tells interns:
“Even if you’re placed with a company that doesn’t seem to fit your career goals, take a deeper look. Businesses need more than just technicians—they need professionals in marketing, scheduling, HR, social media, finance, and more. Every company is a network of opportunities waiting to be discovered.”
Many of the roles’ interns explore require only a two-year degree, certification, or specialized training—or can even be accessed straight out of high school. The program is helping students reimagine what’s possible for their futures.
Looking Beyond Summer: A Vision for Year-Round Impact
While the summer internship is the cornerstone, MAIF is working to expand Kids Work into a year-round initiative, offering students consistent access to career exploration and skill-building across fall, spring, and summer.
And the demand is real:
- 160+ students applied for the 2025 summer session—far exceeding available placements.
- Across North Carolina, internship and apprenticeship participants report the highest wage growth among all workforce training initiatives.
How You Can Help
Applications for the 2025 summer program are now closed, but the mission continues. MAIF is seeking businesses, mentors, and sponsors to help expand the program into every season.
If you’re a business leader, educator, or community advocate, now is the time to get involved. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive economy—one student, one internship, and one opportunity at a time.
Join us in shaping the future of Lake Norman.
Because when we invest in our youth, we invest in our entire community.
