“Empowering Children and Communities for a Brighter Tomorrow”
Somerset Academy Inc.
is dedicated to supporting the development of child-centered, individualized, and developmentally appropriate educational programs. Our mission extends to children of all ages, their families, and the wider community. We believe in fostering environments that ignite curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning, underpinned by our core values of inclusion, diversity, and respect.
Operation Peace Summer Programs
Summer Intensive Training: Accelerated Pathways to Careers
Summer represents more than a break from school—it’s an opportunity to build a future. Operation Peace’s Summer Intensive programs are specifically designed for young people ages 16-36 who are ready to invest their summer in transforming their economic trajectory. Instead of three months that drift by, participants gain industry certifications, hands-on experience, and direct connections to employers actively hiring. Our summer cohorts run from June through August, offering compressed timelines that allow students to complete training and start working or enter apprenticeships by fall. Whether you’re a high school graduate exploring options, a young adult seeking a career change, or someone re-entering the workforce after incarceration, our summer programs provide structure, skills, and support during a critical window of opportunity. Participants receive the same rigorous training, certifications, and job placement assistance as our year-round programs, but with schedules optimized for summer availability—including extended weekday sessions and weekend options that accommodate those balancing part-time work or family responsibilities.
Our Approach: Breaking Cycles, Building Futures
Keep Youth Engaged and Out of Trouble
Philadelphia summers are critical months for youth safety. When young people are disconnected from structured activities, idle time can become dangerous time. Operation Peace’s summer programs provide productive alternatives to street life during the months when youth violence typically spikes. Our training sites become safe spaces where participants are mentored by professionals, surrounded by peers working toward positive goals, and focused on building skills rather than surviving conflicts. Parents and guardians find peace of mind knowing their teenagers and young adults are spending weekdays in supervised, purposeful environments—learning to operate forklifts, preparing for FAA exams, or mastering construction safety protocols instead of being vulnerable to neighborhood violence. Community leaders recognize that every young person engaged in our summer program is one less person at risk on the corner. The structure alone—showing up on time, following instructions, working as part of a team—builds discipline and routine that translates to long-term success. Beyond just keeping youth busy, we’re keeping them alive, focused, and moving toward futures they can be proud of.
The Impact We're Making
Launch Careers Before School Starts
Timing matters. Operation Peace’s summer programs are strategically designed so participants can complete training, earn certifications, and begin working or enter apprenticeships before the fall semester begins. A young person who starts our drone piloting program in early June can be FAA Part 107 certified and earning $20+ per hour as a commercial drone pilot by September. Someone who completes forklift certification in July can start a warehouse job paying $18-22 per hour before August ends. Participants who finish our building trades pre-apprenticeship in late summer can enter union apprenticeships in September, earning while they learn at rates starting around $20-26 per hour. This isn’t theoretical—it’s the actual pathway our graduates follow. By September, while their peers are heading back to classrooms with uncertain futures, our participants are clocking in to real jobs with benefits, paychecks, and clear advancement opportunities. For those who do return to school, they go back with professional certifications, workplace experience, and income that changes their family’s financial situation. Summer with Operation Peace isn’t a placeholder—it’s a launchpad that sets young people on trajectories toward economic stability and career success that begin immediately, not years down the road.
What clients say about us
Discover the transformative experiences and heartfelt testimonials of our clients, reflecting the profound impact Somerset Academy Inc has had on families, communities, and individuals.
