Summer Youth Works Program Serves 49 Youths
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire business community once again stepped up to the plate during summer 2014 serving as host worksites for the city of Pittsfield, Berkshire County Regional Employment Board and BerkshireWorks' 10th annual Summer Youth Works Program.
Youth Works is a summer jobs program that provides income-eligible youth ages 14-21 with subsidized summer employment experiences in the public, nonprofit and private sectors.
BerkshireWorks' Youth Counselor Kelly Groves provided an overview of the program and indicated that 49 youth successfully completed the five- to six-week Youth Works work experience program with 29 Berkshire employers.
"We are so very proud of each one of you who have grown throughout the summer, have worked hard, and have and will continue to accomplish great things," Kelly Groves said. "BerkshireWorks is also appreciative of the mentoring opportunities that each of our employers provide. It really makes a world of difference to these young people."
Structured work activities included housekeeping, dietary aids, clerical work, building and grounds maintenance, camp counseling, landscaping, manufacturing work and elderly care. Youth also participated in mandatory employment readiness training focused around workplace health and safety, strategies for employment success, work attitudes and communication, personal accounts and financing, resume writing and interviewing strategies. Eleven participants had perfect attendance for the summer and eight youth were hired on by their employer.
Mayor Daniel Bianchi applauded the efforts of the participants, distributed certificates of completion, and provided a strong message of hope and the importance of these work experiences.
"The summer work program can be a significant part of a young adult’s experience. It gives teenagers the opportunity to experience work under the tutelage of wonderful community companies and organizations," Mayor Bianchi said. "I want to thank all of those organizations for their participation."
Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier outlined how important these resources are to help turn lives around.
"You have a chance to make a difference. Berkshire employers invested in you this summer, now you need to invest in you, too. When you see someone struggling, help them," she said. "Be part of the solution!"
Graduates of the 2014 Youth Works summer program include: Alexius Vaughan, Alyssa Leon, Amancho Adopo, Andrew Alfonso, Arien Hardy, Austan Quagliano, Baeley Berry, Bailee Pierce, Bernice Boateng, Brennan Kickery, Cheyenne Yuknis, Collin Venditti, Daimien Jarem, Darian Hunter, Dashon Taylor, David Garand, Deanna Price, Edwin Kingston, Evan Mathieu, Fantashia Harvin, Gabriella Lombardi, Jacob Durfee, Jaime Brown, Jordan Hayes, Joshua Jones, Kaitln Winters, Kanei Holley, Kayla Eichelser, Kayla Hudson, Kristen Banister, Lauren Johnson, Lexi Mitchell, Lian Stout, Malizha Johnson, Marquis Harvin, Merrick Givson, Nicholas Wilson, Nicole, Richard, Omar Pascual-Polanco, Shatyra Grant, Tiffany Lee, Trayvon Sims, Trevor Taylor, Tyler Beals, Tyler Johnson, Viamaris Figueroa, Walter Hatch, Zachary Bellows, and Zach Hogn-Lucignan.
Participating Employers Include: Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire Community Action Council, Berkshire Community College, Berkshire Life, Berkshire Medical Center, Bisque, Beads & Beyond, Brenda’s Catering, Canyon Ranch, Christian Center , City of Pittsfield, Condron Construction, Crowne Plaza, Dalton Community Recreation Association, Downtown, Inc., Gladys Allen Brigham Center, Goodwill Industries, Habitat For Humanity, Interprint, Lanesboro Elementary School, Mad Jacks, Marshalls, Mildred Elley, National Alliance of Mental Illness, Pittsfield Public Schools, Riverview Homes, Salvation Army, United Cerebral Palsy, Wahconah Country Club, and YMCA.
Youth Works state funds are provided by the Executive Office of Labor & Workforce Development (via Commonwealth Corporation) and are distributed through the 16 Workforce Investment Boards (via BCREB) in serving eligible cities and towns. Thirty-one cities and towns across Massachusetts are eligible for YouthWorks resources. Pittsfield is the only Berkshire County eligible municipality and has been receiving funds since 2005 (serving 335 youth). Pittsfield received $122,227 for the summer of 2014. Guardian/Berkshire Life's Charitable Contributions Committee also provided resources in order to provide three additional youth with a subsidized work experience.
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