Recently a group of Richland County Youth visited downtown businesses and organizations to learn about critical skills they’ll need in adulthood. The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center (Mid-Ohio ESC) Workforce Investment Act (WIA) youth program is a year-round program that supports in-school and out-of-school youth as they transition into adulthood.
Students visited the North Central State College Urban Center for Higher Education (NCSC Urban Center) campus, Richland Bank, Athens Greek Restaurant and the Squirrel’s Den. WIA students listened to college recruiters at the Urban Center encourage them to plan ahead. Richland Bank staff met with students in the conference room to talk about money management skills such as budgeting, interest rates, and even employer expectations.
Then the students ate lunch at Athens Greek Restaurant while listening to LaDonna Secrist owner of the Squirrel’s Den. After lunch students wrote written reflections on their experiences they had shared. Transportation was provided by Richland County Transit (RCT) which also was a learning opportunity for the students, many of whom had never used the transit system before.
Willa Leedy of RCT was aboard the bus and explained how the RCT operates (schedule, safety measures, relationship to clients and career options).
Lisa Clingan arranged the speakers at Richland Bank. The students learned about work ethic and interview skills from Nichole Lewis, the importance of good credit from Jeff Parton, and budgeting and saving from Tyler Krummel, all young executives at Richland Bank.
“It’s interesting to watch and see the light bulbs come on with these students. One young lady in particular was very vocal and surprised by some of what she learned,” said Clingan.
Duwan Bradley, a WIA participant, said, “We learned about saving, if you want to do something big you need to save.”
Anthony Taylor represented North Central State College at the Urban Center campus. “The kids were great, they were all receptive. In following up we now have two who are interested in the entrepreneurship program,” said Taylor.
Many of the students were unaware that a campus was so close to them. Although the youth have different goals and aspirations many have hopes and dreams that will require a college education. Among the group that attended the field trip were youth who hope to pursue careers in law, medicine, business, and technology. Others plan to pursue military service or trade schools.
The Mid-Ohio ESC/WIA staff serves youth in this capacity by providing career exploration assessments, life skills/employability skills groups, work internships, information and referral to community resources, academic assistance, and community service experience.
While participation in the WIA youth program is voluntary, certain expectations are set for the youth to benefit from the program. Youth are expected to be active participants in all groups and activities as scheduled.
In addition to the classroom learning and field trips, a part of the WIA program includes internship opportunities. WIA participant Jazzlynn Greene has been involved in the program for two years. She had an internship at a nursing home last year.
“We would paint their nails, do their hair, anything the residents needed help with,” said Greene. The employer liked her so much that they hired her for a summer job and she’ll return for another internship this Spring. Greene plans to study nursing when she graduates.
According to Famico Williams, Case manager/Recruiter, “We’ve had a lot of success stories, kids have gone on to college, military service, it’s a good program.”
For more information about the WIA program visit the Mid-Ohio ESC website.
“The kids were great, they were all receptive. In following up we now have two who are interested in the entrepreneurship program,” said Anthony Taylor.
