WorkReady Douglas
WORKREADY Douglas is a youth project that has been in effect since 2008. This project allows for disadvantaged youth residing within Douglas County to receive intervention and intervening services, which promotes educational achievement, leadership, and higher learning aspirations.
TARGET YOUTH
Work-Ready Douglas serves approximately 300 youth in Douglas County who are high risk, ages 16-21, economically disadvantaged, and have or are one or more of the following: a disability, deficiency in basic skills; at risk of dropping out; homeless, runaway or in foster care; pregnant or parenting; an offender (involved in the Juvenile Justice system); or in need of additional assistance to graduate, become work-ready, or transition from high school to post-secondary education, training, or employment.
RECRUITMENT OF YOUTH
Work-Ready Douglas recruits and retains youth in a variety of ways. PEPP uses in-person and multi-media methods to spread awareness through the community. Flyers, newspaper articles, our website, and our monthly newsletter will promote knowledge of the project and inform those interested in participating. Juvenile Justice, DCSS, Vocational Rehabilitation, DFCS, and Kids net are primary referring agencies
WHY YOUTH PARTICIPATE
Work-Ready Douglas offers a comprehensive program. By utilizing a fresh out-of the-box approach, we strive to build an innovative project design. We celebrate small successes along the way and help keep participants focused on the bigger goals. Work-Ready Douglas is strategic in hiring staff with the proper qualifications and skills. Furthermore, they must demonstrate an energy that is youthful, fun, and friendly in order to captivate the attention of our target youth; thereby, creating a positive, trusting atmosphere for each youth to thrive. Youth will receive individual attention and will see the added value to being involved in the Work-Ready Douglas Program.
WorkReady Douglas assists disadvantaged youth in identifying their own goals and interest, by providing youth with a personal roadmap to engage them through service learning activities, creative learning strategies, and opportunities for enrichment. Our goal is getting youth back on track and giving them the skills they need to make positive choices that will impact their futures. Leadership and good decision-making are the forefront of our program. The project addresses the needs of youth involved in the transition to post-secondary education or the workforce. Curriculum promotes HS graduation or GED preparedness, leadership, workplace literacy skills, and job interest development. The course work suits the individual needs of the participant; whether, they are looking for marketable job skills, remediation in educational skills, or preparation for the Governor’s Work Ready Certificate or the GED.
ACTIVITIES
Career Exploration with career interest inventories/job shadowing; Skill Development of basic reading, writing, and problem solving, leadership, life, employability, and occupational skills; and access to a Support System including mentoring, supportive services, guidance, and counseling.
MAGNITUDE
Youth successfully existing program will be highly marketable within the local job market by possessing skills, experience, and the credentials necessary to be successful in today’s world; and youth entering local jobs will boost economy. In return our community will benefit with less juvenile justice and crime rates. With the services PEPP offers, youth of disadvantaged backgrounds will be able to have a better chance at reaching their goals and contributing to the community. Youth will develop skills to enhance their lives invaluably, uncovering their fullest potential and giving them the roots to achieve. Program Description All instruction will be provided in PEPP’s unique computer lab classroom, in a way to support the progression of valuable technology skills necessary to today’s world.
Computers are used to deliver assessments, Career exploration, GED preparation, and some testing. If students are interested, basic computer skills can be worked on or improved while participating in the program. The lab will also provide quite time to work on assignments, activities, or access information from the lab library. Programming will be provided in an educational setting offering access to a computer lab, individualized planning, and membership to a mentored youth group. Individual assessments will be given to eligible students to determine needs for placement within the program and individual interests. The curriculum is specifically designed to promote High School Diplomas or GED preparedness and success, self-determination, work place literacy skills and ethics, and awareness of jobs best suiting the individual’s abilities and interest. Instruction will be lead by the Literacy Instructor using traditional GED textbooks, online programs such as My Skills Tutor, Work-keys, and Career Cruising. The course work will specifically be designed to suit the individual needs of the participant; whether, they are looking for marketable job skills, remediation in educational skills, or preparation and referral for the Governor’s Work-Ready Certificate Program or the GED. Credit recovery options are available for specific content areas.
Summer job training and apprenticeships are available as well as summer programing to keep kids on track!
