Marcel Cicero - Employment services
Working as a youth employment specialist (YES) with youth services has been a great challenge. Most young people state they want to work, when in reality they just want to make money. There are some youth, though ,who just need that extra push or coaching. Here are two short stories that keep me inspired.
Staying Employed
November 1, 2002 North Campus: A young man came into our office looking for a job. I did the intake and spent time developing a career path with him. We made the next appointment one week later. The appointment came and went, no call, no show. Outreach by a job developer, came back nada. Youth missing in action! Same young man came in one week before Christmas - the year 2003. Famous words,”Miss I need a job”. The young man stated he has done some plumbing. I sent him to a friend who has a plumbing company; he hired the young man as a helper. The business owner also encouraged the young man to pursue an apprentice program. A few years went by. The young man came into the office on Franklin Avenue with a friend. It’s 2006.
Where have you been?
“Working; still in plumbing doing work for your friend and a small company getting $16.00 an hour”.
Did you go to school?
“Not yet!”
I stated see me when your ready. Conclusion: This young man has done well for himself. He’s not selling drugs anymore, has a criminal record yet is working. He’s not running the streets, he’s maintaining a household. He has become a successful young adult here in Hartford.
Reaching Out
There was a young lady whose file I was given. Here are the exact words I can remember Hector saying to me: “Marcel see if you can reach this young lady, she is one of our hard to engage youth.”
Hard to engage was right! This young lady would not come to the telephone for the first 25 phone calls. I felt bad calling her mom, who did not speak English that well. I was calling early in the morning, mid-afternoon, early evening, but her mom didn’t mind. Then one day surprisingly she came to the phone I was lost for words.
Hi, My name is Marcel can we meet?
(With a big sigh) “Yes when?”
Well, How about tomorrow?
OK, you guessed it! Tomorrow came and went. I phoned her again - she was always sleeping! Now I’m into my second month with calling her, and low and behold, one day she just showed up at the center. I think it was because her relative had an appointment. This young lady had a lot going on for herself - high school graduate; computer skills; spunky; good character; loved to have fun. Her problem - she loved to sleep late into the day. We worked on that sleep thing.
She excelled in all her job readiness tasks given. This young lady made such an impression on staff she was hired by the non-profit organization, first as a youth assistant and then as an employee. Today she is in her third year with them. This young lady with a push and some coaching has become a successful young adult in Hartford.
For youth who are ready for the workplace, OPP coordinates and develops employment placement opportunities, including job search skill training, job placement and job coaching. OPP works with community partners and the regional workforce board and collaborates with area employers to develop job opportunities. These two youth, as well as others keep me inspired.
