Summer Youth Students Learn on the Job!
Three of the students currently enrolled in Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Summer Youth Services, Jonathon Caldwell, Greg Johnson and Mikel Tempfli, are not only learning on the job work skills but also, helping the Goodwill organization recover from its mandated closure. The very popular Summer Youth Services program offered by Goodwill had to be completely re-designed this year to not only offer students meaningful paid work training opportunities as it always does but also, to create a completely safe environment for both the students and competitive employees. Summer Youth is structured to provide students with a variety of work skills such as ability to follow work place rules and communicate needs and questions in the work place. Normally offered during two five week sessions during the summer, the 2020 version had to be completely re-invented to meet the mandated Ohio Department of Health safety requirements in response to COVID-19.
The revamped Summer Youth Services for 2020 offers experiences 12 hours per week during 3 three week sessions. Summer Youth offers an opportunity to participate in an interactive, paid work experience in an integrated and competitive employment setting. Jonathon, Greg and Mikel are currently spending their afternoons working in the same work environment with competitive employees and helping to sort and rack hangers. This job is absolutely essential to the overall production efforts that take place in the organization’s Contributed Goods building. This is where all of the donated clothing is prepared for shipment to the organization’s network of 18 retail stores. The students work under the supervision and support of Kip Miller, who provides individualized instruction to the students. Not only are the students learning work skills but this year, also learning all of the appropriate safety requirements of a competitive work environment. Mask wearing is required; hand sanitation before entering the work floor (and repeated hand washing throughout the day), social distancing as well as soft skills like paying attention to task and getting along with co-workers and supervisors. When asked the students indicated they like the job they are doing and Greg even indicated that he was thinking about the possibility of getting a job at Goodwill following graduation from high school.
Our most sincere gratitude to all three of our Summer Youth students, (Jonathon, Greg and Mikel) for their willingness to share their story. We wish them well in their future journey.
All Pre-Employment Transition Services for Students are offered through a collaborative partnership with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and students must be at least 14 years of age and be eligible for services through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).
For more information about Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Pre-Employment Transition Services and Summer Youth Services, please call (513) 771-4800, ext. 6313 or email: ccombs@cincigoodwill.org.
