SPRINGFIELD – The youth of Western Massachusetts are getting to work these days, thanks in no small part to an organization with a heart of gold, located right here.
YouthWorks, a workforce development program which operates under the umbrella of the FutureWorks career center, focuses on giving youths between the ages of 14 and 21 opportunities to gain work skills aimed at career development.
With a mission to “encourage personal growth by creating the preconditions for success”, YouthWorks has established relationships with the cities of Holyoke and Springfield, but within the last year, has also begun working with Chicopee and Westfield, ensuring that the youths of Hampden county are working towards brighter futures every day.
Last Wednesday before a small group of supporters, Springfield mayor Dominic Sarno and Holyoke mayor Alex B. Morse held a conference praising the efforts of the program. Several local business people were also on hand to speak at the event, including Todd Cieplinski, owner of local frozen yogurt emporium MoFroYo.
Sherry Elander, a transition teacher at Westfield High School, is a vocal advocate for the program.
“Participants of the program must meet several risk factors,” Elander said, listing age, income, and several other eligibility factors, such as homelessness, English as a second language, and disability status, “We had about 50 students working in the program last year in Westfield city proper.”
As a transition teacher, Elander reaches out to local employers, handles student applications to work, and interviews students to match them with an appropriate job.
“The students need to participate in 10 hours of training prior to working,” Elander said, “including interview skills and etiquette, resume work and also a sexual harassment awareness seminar.”
Elander also hopes that working with YouthWorks will also give students opportunities to gain more a of a real world perspective.
“Making minimum wage can change a persons perspective, especially a young person who may be considered at-risk.”
Local businesses who have participated in the program in the past include Stanley Park, Tekoa Country Club, Shaker Farms and Noble Hospital and Sunshine Village. Elander is also optimistic that more local businesses will join the program this year.
Elander is very excited about the program’s continued work with immigrant youths in the Westfield area.
“YouthWorks has worked with many Nepalese kids who have immigrated to the Westfield area,” Elander said, “it is difficult transitioning to a new culture and life, and the center looks to continue working with these kids.”
