Local Youth Programs

Find out what's going on with other Youth Programs in the area:

• Buncombe County Schools
• Communities in Schools of Transylvania County, Inc (CISTC)
• Community Solutions for Youth Employment
• Henderson County Public Schools (Hendersonville High School)
• Madison County Schools (Madison High School)
• Mountain Area JobLink Career Center

This Workplace Readiness Program is a comprehensive year-round approach to school retention. In-School students between the ages of 14-18 who are considered basic skills deficient are recruited at the beginning of the ninth grade year and receive intensive intervention until graduation. Remediation, academic support and constant mentoring afford the students the greatest opportunity for success. A two-week summer component will acquaint the 14-15 year olds with the world of work in an effort to bridge the gap between school and work. At program exit students will receive follow-up services for one year.

Building Futures for Youth is a comprehensive year-round program providing intensive support services for both in-school and out-of-school at-risk youth in Translyvania County. Through a coordinated service delivery system this program offers the following services: 1) tutoring and dropout prevention activities, 2) alternative secondary school choice, 3) summer employment, 4) paid and/or unpaid work experiences, 5) occupational skills training, 6) leadership development, 7) supportive services, 8) adult mentoring, 9) 12-month follow-up, 10) comprehensive guidance and counseling. The goal of Building Futures for Youth is youth empowerment through information and access to education and employment resources.

This is a summer employment component in coordination with the year-round Title I Youth Work and Vocational Training Program for the mentally challenged. The Youth Work and Vocational Program provides the following services: 1) basic educational skills, 2) in-school retention, 3) exposure to the world of work through vocational training and summer work experience, 3) citizenship skills, 4) pre-employment and work maturity skills. The Handicapped Summer Work Program provides part-time work experience opportunities include maintenance, food preparation, and grounds keeping. This is an innovative program in that mentally handicapped students are being trained for competitive work. The goal is to offer the opportunity to develop positive work habits and attitudes, which will be transferable into the competitive work force.

This Workforce Development Project (WDP) is a collaborative approach to developing the at-risk youth potential using primary and secondary case managers. The project goal is to build a network of community resources supporting the workforce development of our low income/at-risk youth. The WDP components include: 1) subsidized placement at a variety of worksites, 2) occupational skills training at Madison High School and AB Tech, 3) in-depth career assessment and development, 4) scholarships for out-of-school participants, 5) adult mentoring, 6) follow-up for one year following completion of the program.

This Youth Program provides intensive case management service for Out-of-School Youth. Individuals are recruited from the high school dropout population, referral from partner agencies, juvenile justice system and employers. After comprehensive assessment of education and employability skills an individual career plan is developed based on the individual’s desires, abilities and labor market analysis. The JobLink computer lab is equipped with PACEWARE to facilitate testing for work maturity skills and prescribe a lesson plan to achieve marketable employability skills that employers require in today’s labor market. GED instruction is available through ABTech by distance learning through Plato Software online. This youth program provides structured activities and a supportive atmosphere with caring adult supervision to assist young people to successfully complete their education, attain occupational skills needed in today’s work force and successfully enter the labor market.

Any Buncombe County youth at risk age 14 to 21 may participate in the program. Ages 14 and 15 will be guided to appropriate volunteer experiences or seasonal work that does not interfere with school. Ages 16 to 18, who are in school, will receive employment guidance that supports individual educational goals. Other youth who are out of school may participate in employment related services, and will also receive direction about continuing education.

Please visit their website at http://www.buncombeyouthjobs.org/ for more information.