STIMULUS UPDATE WORKFORCE CONNECTION - REGION 10 WWW.CLMWORKFORCE.COM

INVESTOR NEWSLETTER ISSUE N°3! FALL 2009

STIMULUS UPDATE ! AUGUST 2009

Special Report

2009 Summer Youth Employment

Recovery funded programLeft: Summer Youth Employment Program participants Cartier Twillie, age 21, left, and Ronald Thompson age 17, recording video and photos, are the media team for Workforce Connection’s 2009 youth program. Above: Summer Youth Employment Program participants explored careers using green energy, such as building a model car fueled by water.

Video - More about the summer program at www.youtube.com/WorkforceCLM. (Photos by Jannet Walsh/Workforce Connection ©)

What did the youth in 2009 Summer Youth Employment Program do on summer vacation? Answer: They were building bridges to future careers.

The Workforce Connection Summer Youth Program for Citrus, Levy and Marion Counties joined with 132 business sites serving 300 youth from ages 14 to 24. The younger youth have participated in a simulated workplace where they built a computer, hydrogen powered car, experimented with solar energy models and participated in learning activities at related businesses.

Documenting - The media team of Cartier Twillie, age 21, and Ronald Thompson, age 17, both of Ocala, documented the summer. “We have been recording and taking

photographs of the students in different classrooms and the other students that are working in the different job clusters that they want to go into after the program is over,” said Twillie. “The most valuable thing I learned this summer was to be persistent and work really hard, even if it is something you like or enjoy. It’s all fun, but it is still work and keep professional where it belongs and fun where it belongs.” Twillie is interested in a career in the medical field and Thompson is interested in photography.

Writing - Candria Mathis, 15, emailed a thank you note to her instructors. “I attended the youth connections program. . . . I would like to say thank you for all that you did to make this

program available. I enjoyed the program and the guest speakers. I learned a lot in this program. I

Building opportunities, career paths

(Continued on back page)

Digital, high tech and green

A Proud Sponsor of the

2009 Summer Youth

Employment Program

Training Tomorrow’sWorkforce Today!

Workforce Connection is a member of the Employ Florida network of workforce services and resources. Workforce Connection is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers listed above may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711. If you need accommodations, please call 352-840-5700, ext. 1278 or e-mail accommodations@clmworkforce.com. Please make request at least three business days in advance.

Poster for business sites of the youth program.

STIMULUS UPDATE WORKFORCE CONNECTION - REGION 10 WWW.CLMWORKFORCE.COM

INVESTOR NEWSLETTER ISSUE N°3! FALL 2009INVESTOR NEWSLETTER ISSUE N°3! FALL 2009

STIMULUS UPDATE ! AUGUST 2009

Workforce Connection is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers listed above may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711. If you need accommodations, please call 352-840-5700, ext. 7878 or e-mail accommodations@clmworkforce.com. Please make request at least three business days in advance.

www.employflorida.com

“We learned about finances, how to prepare resumes, cover letters and put in a thank you letter after a job interview. We also learned how to build a computer, green technology and know it’s importance.”

- Aaron Rebarchik

never thought that I would assemble a computer,” said Mathis.

Speaking - Jennifer Rijos, 15, delivered a speech at the graduation ceremonies for the summer youth program. “During our six weeks our teacher taught us a better understanding of jobs in the work industry, budgeting and shopping

rules.” said Riijos. She noted students learned how to fill out job applications. Christopher Jimenez, age 15, also addressed his class and explored career opportunities for his future.

Mentoring - Ebony Hutchinson, 24, and Glenn Fowler Jr., 22, both Peer Monitors, visited youth worksites and assisted in administrative aspects of the program. They joined younger students on learning activities at employers, such as Monterey Boats in Williston, Progress Energy in Crystal River and Gateway Bank in Ocala.Responsibility - “The most

important thing I have learned is how to be organized. Sometimes you have to come up with things on the spot. You have to be an all-around person,” said Jayzmaine Lumsden, age 17, interested in a career in neonatal nursing.

Jessia Kerison, 22, was hired at part-time status after the youth program ended at the law office of J. Herbert

Williams, in Ocala. “She fit in really well with us. . . . We did not have to correct her on dress or cell phone usage,” said Jill Williams.

Accounting major Jeff Keener, 19, interned at Cridland & Cridland GMAC Real Estate, in Inverness. “It’s a great experience for future jobs, as it is an office job. It’s a great environment for learning in the future. I have learned the accuracy of your work is very important. If you make a mistake, than everyone suffers from it,” said Keener.

“Responsibilty was something they learned over time. . . . We accepted them to assit with the campers. The responsibility of following what they must do, not what they want to do,” said Albert Fuller, Levy County Extention Director and 4-H Agent, on summer camp workers.

Global thinking - ”I also didn’t know really anything about the green technology out there. I learned that no matter what field I choose to go into, I can do something to make the

planet better,” said Candria Mathis.

Bridging opportunities, career paths - continued

Aaron Rebarchik, age 16, of Ocala, participated in the Summer Youth Employment Program.

Please contact Jannet Walsh, Community Relations/Communications Manager at Workforce Connection, for additional information at 352-873-7939 ext. 1234 or e-mail jwalsh@clmworkforce.com.

3300 SW 34th Avenue, Suite 148Ocala, Florida 34474

1 800-434-JOBS (5627)contactus@clmworkforce.com

Special Report

Students built wind turbines and conducted experiments to learn more about green energy technology.