Akron Secondary junior participates in summer youth program
With a bright, exuberant smile, Summit Academy Secondary School – Akron junior Cynthia Bradley delves into the highlights of her summer job at Café Arnone. Whether it was brewing coffee, preparing pizzas and salads, serving meals or cleaning tabletops and silverware at the quaint Fairlawn eatery, Bradley says the job gave her self-confidence and work skills a boost.
“It was very easy for me, and the people were really sweet and kind,” says Bradley, referring to her job coach, coordinated through Summit DD, co-workers and customers.
Bradley was one of several Akron area teens who participated in Summit DD’s 2025 Summer Youth Work Program. The program provides real-world job experience, wages and an introduction to finance management for 16-year-olds. Prior, as 14- and 15-year-olds, students complete a career exploration component of the program.
“It is the collective goal of schools, Summit DD and other community partners like Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, for students to be college- or career-ready at graduation,” explains Summit DD Assistant Superintendent Drew Williams.
School Intervention Specialist Robin Bishop says Bradley blossomed as a leader through the job experience. Now, at school, she mentors her classmates during Crockpot Thursdays, which involve meal planning and preparation. Students manage everything from budgeting and measuring recipe ingredients to preparing food and practicing kitchen safety.
“Cynthia is always willing to help others and loves learning,” says Bishop, who describes her as caring, sweet and hardworking.
Bradley was featured on Summit DD’s October billboards of teens who participated in the program. Her pictures also appear in this newsletter story about the program. She says she hopes to return to work at Café Arnone next summer and apply her polished skills.
“I learned so much,” she says. “I’m very proud.”