THE STORY
Co-founded in 2018 by Impact46, the City of Lawrenceville, and Central Gwinnett High School, the Summer of Impact’s mission is to decrease the opportunity gap for students in the 30046 zip-code and increase graduation rates at its Academy schools.
It began as an 8-week paid-internship program for rising juniors and seniors (and later graduating seniors) coming from Academy Model schools, with the goals of giving students more real-world experiences and connecting local business with the High School and it’s students. The program also included summer workshops for students to practice and learn leadership, and connect with and impact their community/city. This remains the structure and goal of the program.
In 2019, the program expanded, bringing on its second Academy School in Discovery High School and partnering with Hearts to Nourish Hope to provide paid internships to graduating seniors.
2020 presented unique challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, causing the cancelation of the third year of the Summer of Impact. However, it lead to the creation of the first “spin-off” program - Love Lawrenceville Day. A half-day business shadowing event, Love Lawrenceville Day became a fixture of Impact46’s student programming, connecting students with businesses in Lawrenceville and with Lawrenceville itself.
A third program came together in early 2022, again in partnership with the City - Lawrenceville Legacy Leaders or L3 - an eight-month program designed to develop and promote student success by cultivating a legacy of leaders in Lawrenceville.
Alongside L3 and Love Lawrenceville Day, the Summer of Impact became a part of Students46 starting in 2024, when the need arose for a unified brand for Impact46’s student programming. Students46 functions as the central hub for Impact46’s student programs in the Lawrenceville Community and is a direct result of the continued success of the Summer of Impact.
The program that started it all, the Summer of Impact continues to offer opportunities for students to discover their purpose, passion and influence through quality internships and experiences right here in Lawrenceville.
