Community Action News
APRIL 2023
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YOUTH
AT WORK
WCAC was pleased to recently host Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development Lauren Jones for a tour of our Job & Education Center and conversation with some of our youth employees and community employment partners. The impact an employment opportunity affords young people cannot be understated. As our collective economy looks to rebound from the Covid pandemic, engaging young people in positive work experiences, mentorship support, and work-readiness skills ensures their success and supports stronger community engagement and growth.
While the pandemic certainly caused shifts to how best to engage with our young people (see article about our new online training model below) it also reaffirmed our commitment to expanding our year-round employment opportunities. In the coming months we anticipate placing 500 youth in summer jobs (learn how to apply below) thanks to more than 74 local community partners. Please join us in celebrating our young people and those, like us, committed to their success!
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YOUTHWORKS SUMMER
WCAC's Job & Education Center (JEC) is now recruiting young people between the ages of 14-25 for participation in the 2023 YouthWorks Summer Jobs cohort. Deadline to apply for the session, which will run July 5 - August 18th, is June 1st! Additional details and application info available here.
YouthWorks is a state-funded youth employment program that helps teens and young adults develop skills and experience needed to find and keep jobs. Participants take part in paid short-term work placements during the summer at public, private, and nonprofit work sites. As part of the program, they receive training in core soft skills, practice professional behavior and learn how to work effectively with supervisors, co-workers and customers at their work sites. They also learn how to take the next steps in their education and career pathways.
YouthWorks Program Partners include: Commonwealth Corporation, MassHire Central Region Workforce Board, City of Worcester Division of Youth Opportunities, Worcester Public Schools, employer partners.
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TALENT LMS
While its hard to replace the experience of face-to-face interaction with young people engaged in work-readiness training, the pandemic forced our Job & Education Center (JEC) staff to adapt. TalentLMS is the JEC's new online learning platform used for work readiness training and education. TalentLMS makes it possible for participants in our programs to receive valuable training virtually on their own time wherever they have access to the internet.
Through TalentLMS, we can offer participants original training content, surveys and assessments, and take advantage of over 600 TalentLibrary courses covering a vast array of work readiness topics including self-management, DE&I, and interpersonal skills. It also improves data tracking capabilities, allowing staff to more accurately assess the effectiveness of trainings. JEC staff use that information to adjust trainings to develop a more stable, long-term training infrastructure focused on participant development in both their personal lives and workplace preparedness.
Since its initial implementation in the YouthWorks Winter Cohort in January, close to 120 participants have been enrolled in training courses. Of those 120, two-thirds have completed some or all of their assigned trainings. TalentLMS has greatly expanded the training capabilities of the Job and Education Center and we are looking forward to its continued implementation across our programming. Talent LMS is funded by the Department of Transitional Assistance’s Secure Jobs Initiative and The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation.
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NEW TO THE TEAM
WCAC is pleased to welcome Eluisa Mendes to our Job & Education Center team. As the new Youth Employment Coordinator she will be working to process youth employment applications and assist with getting young people acclimated to the online payroll system for their summer jobs. Born and raised in Framingham to parents who emigrated to the United States from Brazil, she said she feels well suited to relate to the young people JEC serves. "I grew up like them," she says. "I'm committed to teaching them they have the power to change their circumstances." She notes that the summer jobs program is so much more than the money young people will earn, but all of the others work readiness skills they'll learn and the connections they will make.
As the first in her family to graduate from college -she holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Worcester State University and worked previously as counselor to incarcerated inmates - she is both motivated and a motivator. "If you really want it, there's a way," she says, "If you work hard there's a way to get whatever it is you want - trust me, you can do it."
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SKILLS SUPPORT
WCAC’s JEC Education programs offer alternative individualized education pathways for young people outside traditional school environment, with the intention of instilling the values of lifelong learners and providing career pathway exploration, connections to post-secondary and certificate training programs leading to employment opportunities.
Formerly known as GED, WCAC’s JEC offers High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) preparation for ages 15-24. The academic classes utilize an English curriculum which concentrates on grammar and essay writing skills, while the math curriculum includes word problems, basic math, decimals, proportions, algebra, and geometry. Participants will also review issues relating to the world of work through computer training, classroom readings, discussions, and writing. programs focus on individual progress in small, classroom style settings. Classes concentrate on the core components of the HiSET certification exam. The program features open entry and exit – meaning that participants can enter the program at any time, and remain enrolled as long as it takes to successfully complete the program requirements. Those interested in pursuing their HiSET certificate should fill out online pre-application here.
Beyond HiSET preparation, JEC’s education programs include access to pre-employment skills training, education and career counseling, job and internship placement assistance, life skills workshops, case management, and mentorships which assist students with college or work readiness. All participants prepare a résumé, cover letters, and review techniques for job searching. Participants are encouraged to explore careers, education opportunities, and certificate training programs. Working closely with partner agencies, several different certificate training opportunities are routinely available. Eligible participants can enter the program at any time of year and remain enrolled until they earn the HiSET certification or achieve other career pathway-related milestones. Email JECInfo@wcac.net for additional information.
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WORK FOR WCAC
WCAC has a variety of employment opportunities available across our programs. From supporting fuel assistance payments to leading a classroom; from supporting local families to helping households navigate community resources - check us out !
WCAC offers a competitive salary and excellent benefit package including health, dental, vision, life, 403(b) retirement plan with Agency contribution, flexible spending account, paid holidays, vacation, personal and sick time. WCAC is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or pregnancy related condition, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, membership in the uniformed services or any other classification which is protected under state or federal law.
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Saturday, April 15th last day to drop off documents to WCAC's tax prep site to have them scanned for virtual preparation. No appointment needed: Wed, 3-7 pm, Fri, 9 am – 1 pm and Sat 9 am – 12 noon. LEARN MORE
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Deadline to apply for home heating assistance (LIHEAP) has been extended until May 12th. LEARN MORE
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Our 2023 Honorees are:
Sargent Shriver Trailblazer Award -
Friendly House
Champion for Kids -
Project Flourish;
Energy Equity Champion -
Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN) Iggy Strong Award - Providing Youth Opportunities -
Angel Guzman, Laurie Ross, and Jennifer Safford
Community Action Heroes -
Anne Kandilis, Cliff Effect Project; Judi Kirk, Boys & Girls Club of Worcester; Stacy Hampton, Michelle Muller & Nardy Vega, UMass Stop the Spread Team; Catholic Charities; Southeast Asian Coalition of Central MA; City Manager Eric Batista; National Grid; Webster Five; Cornerstone Bank; UniBank and the United Way of Central Massachusetts.
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www.WCAC.net Info@WCAC.net |
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