North Providence – Tri-County Community Action Agency has been awarded a grant for just over $180,000 by the Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island, to offer a paid Summer Youth Career Exploration Program for young adults ages 14 through 24 during the summer of 2017. The six week program is scheduled to begin on July 10th and will feature career exploration, job shadow experiences, field trips, and other occupational specific activities.
“This program is about giving the kids real world experience and exposure to various career options and get them thinking about their future,” said Joseph R. DeSantis, President and CEO of Tri-County Community Action Agency. “We hope that by giving them some real insight into a trade or occupation, they will be better prepared to enter the workforce and will select a career they have strong interest in, resulting in more successful, happy and productive work experience in the long term,” DeSantis added.
The program, open to 150 individuals, will begin with a week of classroom sessions in which participants will learn basic career skills such as resume writing, interview skills, financial literacy, and CPR/first aid training. Tri-County has partnered with several local businesses and agencies to provide participants with a job shadow portion of the program following the classroom. Students will essentially become interns at their chosen location, and will learn industry specific skills within high growth sectors of the Rhode Island economy. Past students have job shadowed with local agencies and businesses such as Shore’s Market, offices within the Rhode Island State Government, The North Providence Recreation Department, Ferguson Animal Hospital, and A Child’s View Daycare. Job shadowing will also afford participants the opportunity to receive first-hand knowledge about potential careers from an actual professional within the field.
Each participant will also work with case managers and career counselors to identify and relieve any barriers to work (such as transportation, or unstable housing).
Upon completion of the 6 week program, coordinators will host the students in a celebration where they will be presented with a certificate of completion, and other training documentation.
“To see the look on the faces of these kids as they complete the program, is truly inspiring,” said DeSantis, adding that “they leave with a feeling of personal growth and satisfaction, and the knowledge that they have hope and support for their future.”
In addition to career exploration, participants will be exposed to a wide variety of activities targeting critical life skills such as self-esteem building, communication, interpersonal relationships, leadership development, and cultural/civic awareness. These activities will be delivered in the form of guest speakers, field trips, group discussion, and project-based activities. Participants will receive a weekly stipend based on attendance and participation in assigned activities.
Space for the program is limited to 150 participants across three locations; Westerly, North Kingstown and North Providence. Any individual between the ages of 14 and 24 interested in participating is encouraged to contact Tri-County Community Action Agency as soon as possible. The Summer Career Exploration Program is currently accepting applications. To find out more about this exciting program, please call Gina Giraldo at (401) 519-1909.
Tri-County Community Action Agency, formerly Tri-Town Community Action Agency, is head-quartered in Johnston Rhode Island, and is a private, nonprofit, community service agency providing a broad range of programs, services, and support to individuals and families in need throughout Rhode Island.