"font-family:">BAY MINETTE, Alabama — High school might be the most

difficult time in a person’s life. While uncertainties about the

future abound, many teens look for guidance — and many of them lack

a young adult mentor they can relate to and be inspired

by.

"font-family:">The Young Professionals Forum, a new group formed by

the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, gives 21- to 40-year-old

businessmen and women an opportunity to network, grow and to use

ambition for community good.

"font-family:">The group’s first project was to volunteer time at

Baldwin County High School’s Career Expo, and two women from United

Bank seemed happy to reach out, and to help teens reach for the

stars.

"font-family:">Cecilia Harrison, branch operations supervisor, and

Tonya Lambert, branch specialist, said they think their time was

well spent.

"font-family:">“We wanted to get more involved in the community,”

Lambert explained. “This helps them (students) have a specific

goal.”

"font-family:">Harrison agreed.

"font-family:">“I went to high school here,” she spoke with a sense

of first-hand knowledge. “This gives them information about what

opportunities are out there, and about hiring, job qualifications

and incentive.”

"font-family:">Lambert said she understands this age group, not

being too far removed from it herself.

"font-family:">“Being young, you’re more aware of the challenges

young people face in the job market,” sincere words poured from her

lips. “We can help bring new and exciting things and help younger

kids get involved in the community.”

"font-family:">She said she understands that mentors should lead by

example, and she hopes to help others while she works hard to grow

contacts and business experience in her own

career.

"font-family:">“This helps us network for the bank and ourselves,”

she divulged. “It's an extra incentive — to go above and beyond

what’s expected.”

"font-family:">North Baldwin Chamber Executive Director Margo Allen

was happy to have energetic, like-minded volunteers for the expo,

and happy to see a bright future for Bay Minette, she

said.

"font-family:">“Cecilia Harrison and Tonya Lambert are two of many

volunteers that made the 2011 BCHS Career Horizons Expo such a

great success,” she explained. “Their employer, United Bank, is a

longtime member and very active supporter of the North Baldwin

Chamber of Commerce. Businesses like United Bank understand the

importance of community involvement, therefore they are more

inclined to allow employees to volunteer time to events that reach

out and into the community.”

"font-family:">

"font-family:">Allen sees the particular benefit of bringing

positive and reachable examples for students.

"font-family:">

"font-family:">“It is important for businesses and organizations to

allow their younger professionals to be role models and mentor

youth, so youth can form better insight and understanding about

what the future holds for them in job market,” she said. “The North

Baldwin Young Professionals group is a great way for business and

organizations to grow and develop leaders for

tomorrow.

"line-height: 115%; font-family:">“The Young Professionals are a

newly formed and active group of 21- to 40-year-old working

professionals who have come together to volunteer their time to

growing and enhancing the community.”