Local Youths Complete FRCA Summer Jobs Program

More than 75 youths and young adults 14 to 24 successfully completed the 2013 Greater Woonsocket Youth Summer Jobs Program at Family Resources Community Action last weekend. 

Youth participants, along with Job Site Supervisors and funders, joined together at a ceremony at the Woonsocket Middle School on Friday, Aug. 16 to celebrate the accomplishments of the participants. 

After completing a week-long training in workplace expectations, resume-building, interview skills and financial literacy, youth were placed at area businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations for five weeks of paid work experience.  The program is funded by the Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island and the Governor’s Workforce Board through the Department of Labor and Training.

Ten youths were placed RiverzEdge Arts Project where they learned about the arts industry and gained on-the-job skills in screen printing, green design and photography.  Six youth were placed in various departments within the City of Woonsocket, including the Highway, Recycling, Library, Parks and Recreation and City Hall. 

More than 30 young people mentored young children in day camp or daycare settings at Connecting for Children and Families’ summer programs.  These youth and young adults assisted teachers and camp counselors with engaging the children in fun activities and field trips to reduce summer learning loss, while also serving as positive role models. 

Alyca Seldon, 20, was placed at The Call where she used math skills to measure space for newspaper advertisements and learned about billing.  “The Youth Summer Jobs Program gave me valuable work experience that will help me get a better position in the future,” she said.

Other worksites included Beacon Charter High School for the Arts, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, the GrowUp Community Garden and Rock Ridge Homes.

“We are very fortunate to have a community that values our youth enough to support them with mentoring and providing an opportunity for hands-on learning through work,” said Stump Olsen, FRCA Youth Services Manager. “This program helps build confidence in youth, putting them on a path to success.”

At the ceremony on Friday, all youth that successfully completed the program received a certificate of Work Readiness Training from the Governor’s Workforce Board.

Family Resources operates year-round programs for youth and young adults ages 14 to 24 focused on job skills, academic achievement, and leadership development at its 55 Main Street location in Woonsocket.  For more information visit www.famresri.org or contact Stump Olsen at 401- 671-2971 or by e-mail at solsen@famresri.org.