By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Being a teenager is tough enough. But toss in other challenges like being poor, in foster care, pregnant, a dropout, an offender, homeless or having a disability – and completing school or finding a job can be overwhelming.
That’s where the Empowerment Project comes in to help local residents who are between the ages of 16 and 24.
The project – funded by Wood County Job and Family Services, and operated by Wood County Educational Service Center – is all about removing barriers to education and sustainable employment.
And Judy Steiner, the program manager, wants Wood County residents to know the free services are available to at-risk populations who want to finish school and get a job.
“We have lots of individual success stories,” Steiner said. She talked about a youth who grew up in foster care, was employed for a period at WCESC, and is now enrolled at Bowling Green State University. Another youth just started attending Owens Community College to learn welding, she said.
The educational goal of Empowerment is to provide supports to youth who need help getting a GED, driver’s license, occupational training license, or tuition for the last two years of higher education.
“The idea is to remove barriers to education and employment,” Steiner said.
The employment focus helps youth with skills writing resumes, contacting potential employers, and being interviewed.
“A lot of our folks have never worked and just need some experience,” Steiner said.
To encourage employers to give them a chance, the Empowerment program pays the wages of the youth as they gain “practice work experience,” she said.
“It gets them used to what’s expected in the workplace,” including what type of language is acceptable, the importance of punctuality, and how to converse with employers.
Supportive services are also offered, such as help getting uniforms or tools required for certain jobs, transportation, plus counseling and help with child care, housing, medical services, mental health and substance abuse services.
A case manager is assigned to each participant to help them meet their educational and employment goals. Once the participants get jobs, the case manager continues to check in monthly.
“If they still need some supports, we can help them,” Steiner said.
There are currently about 60 participants in the Empowerment program. But Steiner would like to see more.
“We are poised to grow even more,” she said.
Quite often, people are referred to the program by foster care programs, adult and juvenile probation staff, and programs for young mothers. But people can also be referred by their parents, teachers, or themselves.
The Empowerment program is also looking for local businesses willing to give the participants a chance at employment.
Anyone interested in participating in the program may call 419-354-9010.
