The purpose of this program is to assist at-risk youth in increasing their basic skills, employability, and leadership development while reducing the barriers to their success. Services include: attainment of basic academic skills, leadership development, barrier reduction, hands-on work experience and workforce preparedness, employment services and assistance. Additionally, the community will benefit from the renovation and construction projects undertaken by at-risk youth.
Participant Comments:
“Keep the teamwork- that was key!”
“The best experience is
the training. I love the program so
much, that it just may be my career
choice.”
“The changes to the house change the whole neighborhood-I hope this project continues!”
“I will tell my friends
this is a good program and it will help you out a lot.”
Trainees
Youth must be age 16 through 24 and a high school dropout or potential dropout;
at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system, or disabled, homeless,
teen parent, or a recipient of public-assistance. Trainees accepted into the
program must be currently enrolled in an Employment or Educational Training
Program.
Description of Program
The YouthWorks Program is two
fold: 1) trainees receive educational coursework towards the successful
attainment of their GED and barriers reduction services; 2) trainees receive
certification and hands-on training in construction and restoration.
Construction Tech training will
occur at a local property for the hands-on training component. The worksite
will be supervised by a certified Construction Mentor with assistance from the
Program Coordinator.
Educational training will be
completed by certified teachers and occur at various locations.
Program Trainees will be
recruited through local employment and education programs. Trainees will
include high risk youth from 16 to 24 years of age. Trainee applicants will be
assessed for aptitude for the program and to determine their educational needs.
Additional testing, personality reviews and drug screening will be completed as
part of the acceptance pre-requisites. Applicants, who have successfully
completed the application process, will be selected for enrollment.
The YouthWorks Program
administration will be based in the
Trainees will complete the
program after 80 hours and will take CASAS testing for construction and
educational assessment.
Additionally IDAs (
Individual Development Accounts) will be utilized to encourage the savings
efforts of the participants. There will be $1 deposited for every hour worked
and a 1:1 match of this deposit in said account. Funds will be released to each
trainee upon successful completion with the stipulation that these funds be
used for the purpose of continuing education, new home ownership or self
employment.
Post-Program
Placement
Once a participant has
successfully completed both phases of the program, they will be referred to
YouthWorks: Professional Division for continuing short term and/or long term
construction/restoration opportunities or with other non-profit partners for
short term employment and/or long term job placement assistance.
Program
Specifics
The Spring 2008 enrollment
program will consist of a 3 week cycle of 80 hours of barrier
reduction/job-success training, educational training and ‘hands-on’ construction
experience (supervised by certified professionals). Additional work will involve apartment
maintenance.
The Barrier
Reduction
program
will target the following areas:
General Transportation Legal Issues
Child Care ADD/AHD
Illness or illness of child Learning
Disorders
Lack of health insurance Medication(s)
needed
Housing issues Head
Lice
Utility assistance Issues
with child’s other parent
Lack of food Domestic
violence in the home
Lack of clothing Divorce
or separation issues
Alcohol and drug issues Family
member with serious illness
Pregnancy Recent
loss of family member
Dental issues Problems
in relationship with family
Optical issues Problems
in relationship with partner
Transportation, counseling and
solution assistance will be provided by the
Some History…Our First YouthWorks Program
A Partnership with
Let’s Help, Inc. of Topeka, Kansas.
In the Spring of 2005,
Six youth entered the program on March 28th and by June two youth had completed the program and gained their GED or employment. The group was diverse, including a broad age range (the youngest was 21), cultural and racial differences, varied levels of experience, and persons with disabilities (learning and physical).
After initial applications were received, pre-employment drug screening and orientation was provided for accepted applicants. Accepted participants got right to work and began learning the basics of restoration. Tasks included landscaping, interior painting and some exterior painting, general maintenance, light electrical and carpentry work. Moreover, participants gained the experience of working with a team, reporting to a supervisor and meeting standard employment expectations.
Rodney Seitz led the restoration crew with his restoration expertise and mentored the participants by providing training for the day to day projects. Participants expressed gratitude at the end of the program for Mr. Seitz’s patience and willingness to answer however many questions they could think of! Linda Myrick of Let’s Help Facilities Maintenance Department was on hand to assist with supervision and motivation!
During the education phase of the program participants worked with a local banking professional at Fidelity Bank to gain an understanding of the banking system and personal finance maintenance. Fidelity Bank supported the program through providing this training and also by providing free checking accounts for participants. While participants were not issued checks, these accounts functioned as a way for participants to gain access and experience with the banking system. Additionally, the education phase included the development of math, reading and writing skills focused around the creation of bids and contracts for restoration projects. In this way, the hands-on experience acted as a reference point for classroom education, from fractions and percentages to reading and writing comprehension.
This is a special savings account where the hours worked by participants are matched by local donors. The total funds are then available to eligible participants completing the program. Funds are released to each trainee upon successful completion with the stipulation that these funds be used for the purpose of continuing education, new home ownership or self employment.