The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce's Young Entrepreneurs Academy students volunteered at Daybreak Saturday, December 1. Jennifer Baggarly, Young Entrepreneurs Academy program manager, stated the purpose of the students volunteering is because “they [Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce] want to expose aspiring entrepreneurs to causes that support the community that one day will support them, as business owners.”

The students learned all about Daybreak and decided when they will volunteer their time in the future.
Student volunteer, John Gatwood, senior at Northeast High stated "I always wanted to figure out how to give back to my community because I know it's not all that great nowadays, so I try to figure out a way to help everybody that I possibly can." Gatewood says he looks forward to spending many more Saturdays there hoping to make an impact on his community.

The students learned all about Daybreak and decided when they will volunteer their time in the future. Several chamber staff were present for the event, including new President/CEO, Yvonne Williams. Williams is learning more about Macon each day and was impressed with the efforts being made by Daybreak to address homelessness in the community.

Lynda Brown, with Volunteer United, worked with the Young Entrepreneurs Academy program manager to pull off this very special and unique opportunity for the students of the academy. There were several entities who came together for this cause on December 1 and who come together for many more causes such as these, each day. “We are very fortunate to have so many organizations and individuals who truly care about our community,” stated Baggarly.

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a 501(C) 3 offering groundbreaking year-long classes that teach middle and high school students how to start and run their own businesses. Throughout the class, students develop business ideas, write business plans, conduct market research, pitch their plans to a panel of investors for startup funds, and launch and run their own, fully formed companies and social movements. The project-based program empowers students to take charge of their futures.

The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce was the first organization to bring the Young Entrepreneurs Academy to Georgia. Local program sponsor, LBA Ware™ , makes opportunities such as this possible for students. Based in downtown Macon, LBA Ware is the leading provider of automated incentive compensation and sales performance management software for mortgage lenders. The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce extends their appreciation to LBA Ware.