Swinging into Summer with Summer Works
It has been an exciting two weeks here! The summer pilot program, Summer Works, is now in full swing. Six participants have been recruited. Four locations have been solidified. Life skills are waiting to be instilled. Now, it’s time to get things accomplished.
What is Summer Works? If you guessed a program designed to help out of school young adults build skills and ultimately find full-time employment in the area, you got it! If you think it’s a program encouraging community development and teamwork, you also got it! For our participants, this isn’t just a summer job. It’s a spring board for personal and professional achievement.
How does it work? Participants travel as a cohort to various work sites in Elk County to tackle beautification and to-do list projects. Jay Township parks, Johnsonburg little league fields, Johnsonburg Community Trust and Elk County Humane Society will all reap the benefits of this crew. To complement the skills learned on the job, Fridays are reserved for Life Skills Training classes. Topics such as interpersonal skills, leadership skills, and personal finances will be covered. Participants have the opportunity to transfer into Living Greener at the close of the summer, where they will obtain a mentor, additional supportive services and full-time green-collar employment. Pretty awesome deal, huh?
So, this fall as you’re driving past the park beside Bennetts Valley Elementary School or walking by the Johnsonburg Community Center building, take a look around. Take note of the newly planted flowers, the fresh coat of paint on a building, or the recently installed playground equipment. Most importantly, notice what can be accomplished when barriers blossom into opportunities.
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