Tuesday, June 11th, 2013

Youth get to work

Employment program receives increased local guidance

By Eric Adams
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

Jake Browder, left, and Yumande West work the paper shredder Monday morning at Green Business Solutions, a recycling center affiliated with Cheryl Ann.

A federal program to help underprivileged youth obtain job experience is now being handled locally by the Mercer County Educational Services Center.
The Summer Youth Employment Program is an initiative of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and helps connect young adults ages 14 to 23 with local businesses, schools and municipal facilities that require seasonal help.
Previously the services for Ohio's Area 8, which includes Mercer, Auglaize, Van Wert and Hardin counties, were under the direction of JobWorks, a private entity based in Fort Wayne.
"Before, they always had somebody covering multiple counties at once, so there wasn't a whole lot of oversight," explained Aaron Fisher, TANF coordinator for Mercer County.
"(The previous director) wouldn't come around much, because she couldn't come around much," added Gregg Rutledge, Marketing and Business Relations Manager for Cheryl Ann Programs. "It was just way too much area for one person."
The ESC assumed the program Jan. 1, after JobWorks withdrew in November.
"We felt that, as an educational agency we were the right ones for the job," said Andy Smith, Superintendent for the ESC. "We have info about where the kids are who need help with this program."
Youth whose families are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level may utilize the employment program, which will have workers on sites now through Aug. 31.
Smith said the ESC contracted with Mercer County's board of Developmental Disabilities and Cheryl Ann Industries because they already had established relationships with area businesses. Cheryl Ann also provides supervision at job sites.
About 35-40 employers are participating in the program in each county, with many businesses offering more than one position.
The employee comes at no cost to businesses. Workers are paid through $419,623 in grant monies allocated as follows, Mercer, $88,763; Auglaize, $93,649; Van Wert, $88,630; and Hardin, $148,581.
Seventy percent will go directly to the worker with the remaining 30 percent designated for administrative costs, background checks, working materials for various jobs and other miscellaneous needs, according to Matt Niekamp, Chief Youth Employment Coordinator for Area 8.
"The employer has this free audition to see what these youth can showcase as far as talent, work ethic, reliability, all the qualities they want to see in an employee," Niekamp said. "And when they get somebody good, they hire them."
He added that the program is especially a great opportunity for 14- and 15 year-olds looking to establish a professional reputation.
"This is an attempt to try to instill some pride, work ethic and development: all those other soft skills that go with career building," he said.
Jake Browder, who will be a sophomore at Celina High School, worked a shredding machine last summer at Green Business Solutions in Celina. He looks forward to his second year of seasonal service, which began Monday.
"(The TANF program) is getting me ready for a job ... showing me responsibilities like getting here and leaving at the same time," he said, adding that last year's experience taught him accountability and scheduling skills.
Yumande West, an upcoming freshman at Celina, has worked previously as a paperboy, but looks forward to a more full-time position at the recycling center. His first day was Monday.
"I'm glad I got a job that will help me learn responsibilities for later jobs," said West. "It (will) help with waking up on time."
Other positions offered in the program include maintenance and custodial work at schools and municipalities, landscaping at nursing homes and helping elderly members of church congregations who are no longer able to clean their homes.
Brian Engle, executive director at Foundations Behavioral Health Services in Celina, offered high praise for the office assistant who has been working there roughly two weeks.
"It's been great, she's really ambitious and wants to work," he said. "It doesn't matter what things we have to do that day, she is ambitious and very versatile... we've had her do all kinds of things."
Engle said the assistant's responsibilities include cleaning out cabinets and organizing office supplies as well as filing, scanning and shredding documents. He already knows he would participate in the program again.
Niekamp said the Summer Youth Employment Program will work in conjunction with year-round WIA (Workforce Investment Act) services thanks to the ESC's guidance. These services include occupational skill training and job shadowing, as well as tutoring, study skills, dropout prevention, comprehensive guidance and counseling.
"Once these youth have a (recognition) of other supportive services, we can do some things to start working with them," he said. "(And) who better to do that than somebody who's already connected with the schools?"
Fisher and Rutledge said they are still looking for a few businesses to participate in the program, especially those that can offer employment for 14 and 15 year olds.
Additional online stories on this date
CELINA - Celina Mayor Jeff Hazel said the Celina Skateboard Park as well as the climbing wall and diving boards at Bryson Memorial Pool are all safe to use. [More]
St. Henry's Dorner selected Coach of the Year
Although the area had no shortage of talented baseball players, Adam Niemeyer left little doubt as to who should be named The Daily Standard's Baseball Player of the Year with the statistical season that he compiled. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Former St. Marys police chief serving safety service role
ST. MARYS - Greg Foxhoven's interim job as safety service director may become permanent.
Council members gave first reading to an ordinance to hire
St. Henry schools: Board, union ratify 3-year deal with additional costs
ST. HENRY - School board members on Monday night approved a new three-year contract that gives teachers raises, increases their insurance costs and lengthens their school day.
MARIA STEIN - The Marion Township Trustees are seeking a 20-year tax deferment as part of a plan to expand the existing Marion Industrial Park.
Ron
COLDWATER - Village council members on Monday evening gave first reading to an ordinance approving the annexation of land.
The 5.16-acre lot is part of Schwieterman Addition and sits within Butler Township at the northeast corner of the village.
Celina council considers allowing possible buyer to purchase liquor license
CELINA - The vacant Club Oasis on Main Street may reopen as Boots 'N Bourbon as soon as this summer if city council members agree to let a potential new owner purchase an outside liquor license.
MARIA STEIN - The Marion Local Schools district is losing an administrator.
Board members Monday night approved the retirement of elementary principal Karen Post effective June 30. She has held the position the past 13 years.
ST. HENRY - The village is advancing a volunteer auxiliary police officer to paid part-time status.
Council members on Monday night approved the re
ST. MARYS - A request to keep farm animals on a city lot and other desires were presented during Monday's council meeting.
Resident Brad Townsend a
Official says system could help lake watershed farmers
An Indiana businessman has a system that he says can help Grand Lake Watershed farmers reduce phosphorous in their livestock's manure, the main nutrient feeding toxic blue-green algae blooms in the lake.
FORT RECOVERY - Cole Wendel retired the first 10 batters he faced and Fort Recovery scored four runs in the first inning en route to a 7-2 win over Parkway on Monday in ACME action at Fort Recovery.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry and Mark Ruschau
Ryan Mikesell fired a complete game four-hitter and St. Henry's ACME team improved to 5-1 after a 6-1 win over Greenville on Monday at the Wally Post Athletic Complex.