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A message from Jack A. Litzenberg, senior program officer
Employers around the country increasingly are seeking workers who possess both the technical abilities to do a particular job and the less tangible qualities -- personal responsibility, effective communication and strong work ethic -- that can help them excel.
The cover article in this issue of Mott Mosaic highlights two programs -- the Summer Youth Initiative (SYI) and the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) -- that are helping young people to develop those vital skills in the Mott Foundation’s home community of Genesee County.
Both programs teach the basics of successful employment, such as arriving to work on time, dressing appropriately and managing interpersonal conflict. And they expose youth to a wide range of related experiences, such as career exploration, mentoring opportunities with professionals in a chosen field and discovering local job development resources.
But the programs also offer young people the chance to become leaders among their peers. They encourage the youth to experience the rewards of genuine teamwork and the personal satisfaction of a job well done. And they bring home the critical link that education and training play in shaping a young person’s future.
The SYI and the YEP nurture in their participants a sense of self-worth and personal strength. They help them to see that true success is accompanied by genuine accountability. And they spark the understanding that, with the right skills and attitude, an individual can accomplish just about anything.
In essence, these programs do more than prepare young people for employment; they prepare them for life.
And the benefits don’t end there. Like many communities around the country, Genesee County is going through some tough times. The regional economy continues to struggle, employers are searching for ways to be more competitive in the world marketplace, and young people are leaving the area to pursue jobs in other cities and states.
Programs like the SYI and the YEP can have a positive impact. For example, creating a highly skilled, educated and prepared workforce can help meet the needs of area businesses and attract new employers. And those growing job opportunities will strengthen the local economy and encourage youth to create their futures in their home community.
Of course, no single strategy can resolve the challenges of reinvigorating a local economy or helping young people succeed in the labor market. But we believe that high quality youth development programs such as the SYI and the YEP are animportant step in the right direction.
Jack A. Litzenberg
Senior Program Officer