At The William George Agency for Children’s Services, children improve their relationships, make progress in reaching their personal goals, and brighten their future prospects all in one safe, nurturing environment. Self-awareness and discovery is a part of the growing-up process.
For youth like Sam,* many types of learning take place at the vocational training sites on campus. When she arrived, Sam was unsure about which vocational program she wanted to work in. After completing a 10-week career-readiness course offered through The George Junior Republic school, she interviewed for a job in the Carpentry program where there was an immediate opening.
“The readiness class at the school teaches young people practical things to prepare them for applying for any job,” says Pat Natale, Director of Vocational Services. “Youth apply and interview for jobs on campus just like they would if they were looking for a job in the community. The jobs are real and so are the expectations. Limited openings make vocational programs competitive, so the process really does mimic what happens in real life when multiple people are applying for one position. We help youth think about what differentiates them from others. What unique talents can they bring? Whatever the outcome, we’re there to offer support to help them succeed in their new job, or to learn from a temporary disappointment if they aren’t hired.”
In the Carpentry program, Sam spent nearly 2.5 hours each weekday for months under direct supervision learning a wide range of skills, including how to replace a door knob, frame an interior wall, repair windows and replace outside decking. The program taught her as much about what she didn’t like to do, as what she did.
“She got to try a lot of projects. She built multiple boxes, did some framing, and learned how to measure for stud layout. She ran a nail gun and chop saw. Didn’t do too bad using the drill either,” recalls Joshua Ryant, her Carpentry supervisor, “but like with all beginners, she beat up on some drill bits. One of the things she found out about herself was that she prefers working indoors.”
On-site vocational programming, provided in partnership with The George Junior Republic Union Free School District, offers several benefits for young people at WGA. It introduces them to a potential way to make a living and helps them develop trade-specific skills. It provides a continuous learning environment, with staff skilled in trauma-informed care, that supports simultaneous progress in vocational, social and behavioral goals. The close proximity of vocational sites to residence halls is another advantage that maximizes time on the job rather than time lost to transportation.
Part of a vocational instructor’s role is to help young people adopt a healthy attitude toward work no matter the job.
“Sam struggled to make some good choices at times but she was always willing to give it her best shot,” says Ryant. “Some of the more routine tasks bored Sam, but she grew in her understanding about the need for the task to get done and that she was depended on to do it.”
After some months, Sam inquired about switching vocational programs and doing something different. Staff encouraged her to apply to the Apparel and Merchandise Print Shop (AMPS).
Felicia Tucker, Sam’s supervisor in the AMPS program, recognized Sam’s talent and potential immediately.
“It was a home run. She was super excited to come to work every day and about what she could do. She loved seeing ideas come to life and into actual projects and designs, and also loved seeing people wear her work,” recalls Tucker.
Using a computer and iPad, and drawing on her creativity, Sam worked consistently with two different design programs. She learned industry terminology, how to navigate the programs, how to determine optimum placement of a design, and the unique challenges of working on different surfaces.
“She’s super creative and has an eye for graphic design,” says Tucker. “I think the Shop helped her to find and focus her natural talents, increase her self-esteem, and keep her concentrating on the positive of making stuff. She did a really good job in the program. I can see her working in a graphics-related field.”
Sam did so well, she later earned a much-deserved recognition at a quarterly awards ceremony on campus, along with a letter jacket to serve as a reminder of the progress she made toward all of her goals.
“The variety of vocational programming at The William George Agency can be a game changer for youth like Sam who are unsure about their abilities and what the future holds for them,” says Helen Hulings, Executive Director. “We are helping to expand perspective and appreciation when we give young people access to safely explore different jobs and the unique experiences that come with such exploration – even those that don’t seem like a good fit at the time. Learning is never a loss, especially when it helps a young person grow toward their independence and a brighter future.”
*name changed to protect privacy.