BY KARISSA MILLER

On most weekday mornings, Nevaeh Hughes-Nesbit can be found restocking shelves and greeting customers at the Iredell Coast Hidden Gem variety store in Statesville.

A rising freshman at Statesville High School, Hughes-Nesbit is among a young group of around 10 students participating in I-CARE’s 2025 Summer Youth program.

“I like earning money and seeing people that I know,” the 14-year-old said. “I’m saving up for an iPad.”

Julia Avila, her case worker, stops by to check in on Hughes each week. She has been impressed by Hughes-Nesbit’s ability to taken initiative, patience and punctuality.

Case worker April Donalds said that the summer work program is great for local teens.

“Many 14- or 15-year-olds are too old for summer camp and too young to work. They want something to do and this gives them a way to receive customer service skills and get in work experience with a supervisor,” she said.

Iredell Coast Board member and volunteer Pam Puckett said Hughes-Nesbit has been able to get real life experience by seeing how the shop runs. The tee has learned about pricing and stocking items.

“She’s talks with everyone that walks in and has learned how to deal with the public,” Puckett said.

The program is funded by Community Services Block Grant, CSBG, and Iredell County Community Foundation and community partnerships, which has allowed I-CARE to have a successful 2025 Summer Youth Program.

Youth program worksite partners include City of Statesville, Town of Mooresville, Yokefellow Ministry, Iredell Coast Hidden Gem Variety Store, Iredell Christian Ministries and Iredell-Statesville Schools. Other partners are Comfort Killzzz Inc. and State Employees Credit Union.

“The focus for this program is 14 and 15-year-olds. In addition to the work experience, they participate in weekly soft skill sessions, financial literacy and leadership training,” said Shelton Moore, I-CARE Family Support Services director.

Santario White, 15, said he appreciates that employers give younger teens like him a chance to work.

“I come in and clock in and look at the shelves to see if there are boxes that need to be made. They trust me to be put together the boxes with the foods,” he explained.

Kobe Caldwell, 15, who is working at Iredell Christian Ministries in Statesville, said the experience has improved his skillset.

He has learned the importance of taking initiative, effective communication, organization and problem-solving since starting work.

“This has given me the opportunity to see what a real job is like. It’s been a great experience. I learned to put together food boxes without instructions,” Caldwell said.

Iredell Christian Ministries Executive Director Brandi Jones said that the students have been a tremendous help this summer.

“It’s been great to have extra hands. They have done everything without complaining. I’ve been very impressed with how hard they’ve worked for their age,” Jones said. “I have a passion for kids. So it’s great to also be able to work and teach these kids.”

According to Jones, the food boxes contain canned essential foods. When a client comes in to pick up a food, they typically add frozen meats, deli items, produce, bread and desserts.

Jemareyah Stevenson, 15, said that she gets to work early and enjoys putting together the boxes that clients pick up for their families.

“I learned what they do here is important. They give these boxes to people who don’t have a lot and need help with buying food,” Stevenson said.