Youth to Work Program Completes
First
Construction Project at Paintball Field
July 30, 2007
Monday
(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Eight trainees, ages 14 to 17,
received their Certificates of Completion from the first construction
project completed under the Youth to Work job readiness training
program on Friday July 27th , This program was launched in January
2007 under a partnership between Ketchikan Youth Initiatives
(KYI) and the Alaska State Job Center with support from Boys
and Girls Club, AmeriCorps*VISTA and others.
Grads: from 1st row
left to right: Dean Mahan; Joron Whitton, Sidney Brendible, Kaylea
Stoakes, Rob Hannah; 2nd row: Jason Enright, Herbert Guthrie,
A.J. Hayward
Photo courtesy KYI
Brought together under the tutelage of Charles Edwardson of Edwardson
Enterprises, the two week construction project at the Ketchikan
Hot Shots Paintball field tackled the renovation of an office
trailer donated to the Hot Shots this Spring by C. E. Bradley.
Chas Edwardson speaking
to the need to attract new blood into the construction trade.
Photo courtesy KYI
|
Trainee salaries were funded
by grants from Sons of Transition (Metlakatla Indian Community),
Ketchikan Youth Initiatives, Ketchikan Indian Community and the
State of Alaska Department of Labor. The Rasmuson Foundation
and a High Growth Industry grant from Department of Labor completed
the cash funding supplemented by in-kind donations from local
organizations including Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL),
Tyler Rentals and Ward Cove Construction.
Quoting Chas Edwardson, "I
was pleased to see the cooperative effort and really pleased
that other contractors stepped up to help when they saw what
we were doing. I believe that given the opportunity any youth
can do anything required of them. This project substantiated
my belief."
Members of the public, family
members and educational administrators gathered to witness the
graduation ceremony where Certificates of Completion and paychecks
were distributed by Jesse Harrington, the AmeriCorps*VISTA assigned
to the Youth to Work program.
KYI President, Ty Rettke, explained
how development of the paintball field was the first project
sponsored by Ketchikan Youth Initiatives. The Youth to Work
program carries out the third KYI strategy to help youth and
young adults make a successful transition into the work world.
Hot Shots preparing
for a paintball game before the trailer was renovated.
Photo courtesy KYI
A barbecue followed an impromptu paintball game with the trainees
and other members of the Hot Shots Paintball League. The Ketchikan
Hot Shots Paintball field is located on Revilla Road (mile 4)
Bobbie McCreary, KYI Administrative
Manager stated, "This has been an exciting project to put
together."
Learning on the Job
- The trainees worked hard, 8 hours a day for two weeks
Photo courtesy KYI
About the Youth to Work Program McCreary said, "The Youth
to Work program is committed to making a difference in the future
of our youth and our communities by acquainting these youth with
the opportunities Alaska's High Growth Industries and other businesses
have to offer them."
Work completed, now
they have a place to convene and prepare for paintball games.
Photo courtesy KYI
The Youth to Work program serves youth and young adults ages
14 to 24. McCreary said, "We are continually looking for
employers to provide work experience and mentors to guide the
program trainees."
If you would like more information
on how to participate in this Ketchikan Youth Initiatives' program,
visit the KYI office at 640 Park Avenue in Ketchikan, call 247-8080
or email youthtowork@gmail.com.
E-mail your news &
photos to editor@sitnews.us
Publish A Letter in SitNews Read Letters/Opinions
Contact the Editor
SitNews
©2007
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska
|