2009 ARRA Summer Youth Work Experience

A Letter From the Regional Youth Coordinator about Summer Work Expereince 2009

We simply wanted to say thank you for your support of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Youth Summer Work Experience.  Here are a few numbers that tell the story.

                       

                                    Number of job applications:     3,500

                                    Total number of youth served:           730

                                    Number of counties served:     10

                                    Number 14 -18 years of age: 524

                                    Individuals with disabilities:     119

                                    Number of worksites:             158

 

Without gracious and willing partners, it would have been impossible to accomplish the goal of providing work readiness for such a large group across the broad region recognized by the State of Tennessee as Local Workforce Investment Area 5 (LWIA5). The counties covered by Area 5 include Hamilton, Bradley, Polk, McMinn, Meigs, Rhea, Bledsoe, Sequatchie and Marion.        With such a large footprint and population to serve, we were often challenged by communications and logistics. However, we refused to let the perfect stand in the way of the good.  The “good” is what we wanted to share with you as we said thank you.  Early reports indicate that our young people added value to programs and created dollar-cost-savings for a number of institutions and agencies.  Below is a short list of some of the other benefits of youth summer workers:

           

1.       Public schools were made ready for start dates next week

2.       Nonprofit agencies met the programming needs of younger youth

3.       Government agencies/departments were able to cover summer budgets

4.       Food pantry shelves were restocked as a result of youth-led food drive campaigns  

5.       A homeless shelter will open soon through the support of summer youth workers

6.       Leadership/mentoring opportunities were provided to thousands of younger youth

7.       Young people gave back to their communities and attempted to leave good legacies

8.       Local economies were stimulated by youth spending dollars at home

 

While not perfect, you would have been nonetheless proud of the “good” that our young people accomplished this summer. In a couple of weeks, a comprehensive report will be compiled along with a short documentary. I will provide this information to those of you who are interested (please email requests to grudolph@sedev.org). Again, thank you for the partnership support that makes our region “strong”.

 

Sincerely,

Gary L. Rudolph

Regional Youth Coordinator

Tennessee Career Centers

(423) 785-6668

 

 

2009 ARRA Summer Youth Work Experience was a great sucess. See a story below of our youth in action! 

Worksite: Bethlehem Center

The Bethlehem Center, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee is an award-winning, faith-based agency dedicated to the transformation of lives and communities through programs and ministries that focus on Character Development, Education/Literacy, and Leadership Development. The Beth has served the Chattanooga area continuously for 89 years, and continues to be a pace-setting model for faith-based transformation and revitalization of inner-city communities.  The Beth has been a beacon of hope for families throughout Chattanooga, and particularly in the South Chattanooga area. 

The Sallie Crenshaw United Methodist Bethlehem Center was named after the first black female minister in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church.  She was appalled by the number of black children left without daycare and established the St. Elmo mission in 1947.  The Alton Park center was renamed in her honor in 1983.

Through the ARRA Youth Summer Work Experience, youth participants will have an opportunity to give back to the Beth.  During the worksite assignment process, participants were given the opportunity to select sites close to home in an effort to reduce the transportation burden.  The majority of youth participants or their families assigned to the Beth received Beth services at one point in time.  Those services may have included educational enrichment, food assistance, mentoring, recreation or counseling.  The Bethlehem Center even served as Emergency Shelter during crisis periods of the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. 

The Bethlehem Center will serve more than 200 youth under the age of 14 during the summer months.  Many of the youth served by the Beth come from low-income families and typically are not able to access childcare services on the open market.  The ARRA Youth participants will allow the Beth to serve more clients with quality programs this summer, including Leadership and Literacy.  The 14-24 year old youth participants provide mentoring, guidance, recreation and character development for children in their own community.  The ARRA youth participants are encouraged to leave a legacy and it is believed that the mentoring, leadership and guidance will carry forth at the community level long after the summer work experience is complete.   

Career Center at Chattanooga                                                   

Eastgate Towncenter                                                                      

5600 Brainerd Road – Suite A5                                                    

Chattanooga, TN 37411                                                                 

Antonio McMath – Youth Specialist                                              

(423) 643-2342

Gary L. Rudolph

Phone: (423) 785-6668

Career Center at Athens

410 North Congress Parkway         

Athens, TN 37303   

Sandy Kirby – Youth Specialist  

 (423) 745-2028

                                                                                                 EOE/MFDV

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