Linkages Youth Testify Program Works!
Four youth who, just over 6 months ago struggled to find work, and/or make an attachment to the workforce, stood proud today during their Linkages Achievement Celebration.
With CEN staff, funders, employers and family members present offering congratulations and well wishes, these young people proudly accepted their Certificate of Completion.
Christy Downey, spoke of her experience as a Linkages participant and of the positive relationships she has built, in addition to her job skills. Sheila Felix, one of her supervisors with the BSG Status of Women’s Council, boasted of Christy’s placement with the Women’s Center and how all the women there enjoyed her. She even brought along an example of Christy’s work, a gardening booklet for beginners. Christy admitted having little computer knowledge prior to Linkages and her work placement, but today, has learned a great deal of computer skills among others.
Alvin Retieffe, laughingly joked how he’d do the Linkages program all over again. For him, the program helped get his life back on track after struggling to find work for three years, today he stood proud, employed permanently with the Canadian Tire Gas Bar, with an increase in responsibilities. He went on to say that “Linkages isn’t only learning skills to get work, but it’s making friends and finding supports to continue helping along the way.”
Linkages offers youth an opportunity to investigate options such as education and employment; to build skills and discover themselves. It builds self-confidence and résumés. It builds responsible, self-reliant young adults.
Two participants have secured employment, another has been accepted for post-secondary training. The fourth participant, who has come so far in building social skills, is proud to say now he wants to go to school, to find work, but first he will get his driver’s license, a topic not discussed said his mom prior to Linkages.
From the Community Education Network & Associates, we wish each of these young people the greatest of success and a wise word of advice, “In a world where you can be anything..BE yourself..just make it the best version of you there is.”
