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Stories of Children and Youth
Windsor job program helps youth
Jordan Sickles knows few of his teenage peers can claim they have already held down two great summer jobs -- repairing computers and working as a summer camp counsellor.
That's why the 17-year-old from the city's west side was grateful Friday of his two-year involvement with a unique youth employment program that gave him those opportunities. "This has given me confidence," said Sickles, who enters Grade 12 at Forster high school next week. "I know I can do it now. I already did these things, so now I can push myself further in life to do even better things."
A youth outreach program offered through New Beginnings provides teenagers from struggling neighbourhoods an opportunity to hold an array of summer jobs across the Windsor area.
More than 80 area business and community agencies, including the University of Windsor, Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital and the Children's Safety Village, offered job opportunities.
Sickles was one of 190 graduates of the program celebrating their work experience Friday at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts. He worked on rebuilding computers last summer under the Computers for Kids program and this year as a summer sports camp counsellor at the university. His experience has triggered a desire to attend university, to either study business or become a physical education teacher. "This meant a lot because it gave me an opportunity," Sickles said. "It has taught me how to be a leader, to learn on your own and discipline. I can use all of that in my future."
Staff from New Beginnings who oversee the program emphasized how much the teens mature and blossom through their summer work experience.
"The biggest thing is they get to see how people believe in them," said Jessica Busi, a child and youth worker. "A lot of times people wouldn't give them a chance. We are giving them that first chance. "Now you are putting them back in the school with all these new skills and confidence, so you know they will do really well."
The job program has been invaluable, said John Elliott, executive director of the Sandwich Teen Action Group, a west-end teen community centre. "This gets them off the street and gives them self-worth," he said. "In the summer, if these kids don't have a job, a lot of them are just sitting around. Idle time, idle minds, then unfortunately some fall into the trap of trouble. But this is a chance to get them working, make some money and teach them skills and responsibility they need for their lives."
Keynote speaker and award-winning children's author Christopher Paul Curtis spoke of his youthful missteps -- first following the quick money by working at an auto plant in Flint, Mich., before 13 years later walking away and eventually writing his first book. He told the students they will encounter a lot of difficulties once in the workforce, but encouraged them to follow their own path and dreams. "As someone once said to me, 'If you can do it, anyone can.'" Curtis concluded.
Local MPP and cabinet minister Sandra Pupatello (L -- Windsor West) told the gathering how she was proud of the program's success and vowed continued support. Windsor receives about $800,000 to help improve outcomes for youth in underserved communities, including funding for the work program. "Thanks for making this program a success. When you make it work it tells the government we have to keep doing this," she said.
Dave Battagello
29 August 2008
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=12ab152c-2896-4af1-8d87-a27eab630c38
Jordan Sickles knows few of his teenage peers can claim they have already held down two great summer jobs -- repairing computers and working as a summer camp counsellor.
That's why the 17-year-old from the city's west side was grateful Friday of his two-year involvement with a unique youth employment program that gave him those opportunities. "This has given me confidence," said Sickles, who enters Grade 12 at Forster high school next week. "I know I can do it now. I already did these things, so now I can push myself further in life to do even better things."
A youth outreach program offered through New Beginnings provides teenagers from struggling neighbourhoods an opportunity to hold an array of summer jobs across the Windsor area.
More than 80 area business and community agencies, including the University of Windsor, Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital and the Children's Safety Village, offered job opportunities.
Sickles was one of 190 graduates of the program celebrating their work experience Friday at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts. He worked on rebuilding computers last summer under the Computers for Kids program and this year as a summer sports camp counsellor at the university. His experience has triggered a desire to attend university, to either study business or become a physical education teacher. "This meant a lot because it gave me an opportunity," Sickles said. "It has taught me how to be a leader, to learn on your own and discipline. I can use all of that in my future."
Staff from New Beginnings who oversee the program emphasized how much the teens mature and blossom through their summer work experience.
"The biggest thing is they get to see how people believe in them," said Jessica Busi, a child and youth worker. "A lot of times people wouldn't give them a chance. We are giving them that first chance. "Now you are putting them back in the school with all these new skills and confidence, so you know they will do really well."
The job program has been invaluable, said John Elliott, executive director of the Sandwich Teen Action Group, a west-end teen community centre. "This gets them off the street and gives them self-worth," he said. "In the summer, if these kids don't have a job, a lot of them are just sitting around. Idle time, idle minds, then unfortunately some fall into the trap of trouble. But this is a chance to get them working, make some money and teach them skills and responsibility they need for their lives."
Keynote speaker and award-winning children's author Christopher Paul Curtis spoke of his youthful missteps -- first following the quick money by working at an auto plant in Flint, Mich., before 13 years later walking away and eventually writing his first book. He told the students they will encounter a lot of difficulties once in the workforce, but encouraged them to follow their own path and dreams. "As someone once said to me, 'If you can do it, anyone can.'" Curtis concluded.
Local MPP and cabinet minister Sandra Pupatello (L -- Windsor West) told the gathering how she was proud of the program's success and vowed continued support. Windsor receives about $800,000 to help improve outcomes for youth in underserved communities, including funding for the work program. "Thanks for making this program a success. When you make it work it tells the government we have to keep doing this," she said.
Dave Battagello
29 August 2008
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=12ab152c-2896-4af1-8d87-a27eab630c38