Program News 2011
GSS Youth Attend NYFC Vocational Conference
For many young people, a beautiful, sunny day right after school lets out for the summer might be cause to relax at the beach or park. But for 21 young people from Good Shepherd's out-of-home care programs, it was time to invest in themselves and their futures by attending a special vocational conference, Job Today: Finding and Keeping the Job You Want!, organized by New Yorkers for Children, a GSS funder.
Attended by close to 200 young people from around the city, this annual event was sponsored by another GSS funder and corporate partner, BNY Mellon. The morning included an inspiring speech by GSS Board member Jeep Bryant from the bank, who reminded the young people about the ways in which they may have an advantage over those who had not experienced their troubles. They had "pushed through tough circumstances" and had consequently developed reserves of "strength, character and determination" that are "assets in the workplace" and "found in the very best employees."
The speaking program featured many who had shared experiences of having overcome adversity after spending time in foster care or growing up in tough urban neighborhoods where the odds were against them. Keynote speaker Larry Harris spoke about his journey from Harlem and the Bronx to Harvard and a highly successful career in advertising and media technology. He told them that his mother used to remind him that "life is always about becoming."
The experiences that particularly resonated with the audience were those provided by young adults who were part of a youth panel-peers who had "been there" and were able to share their insights about "the real world" and very concrete information about resources available to youth aging out of foster care.
During the afternoon, participants were able to hone their networking, resume writing and interviewing skills in special workshop sessions, with the help of BNY Mellon volunteers, and later to indulge in an ice cream social and check out booths at a youth career fair. Terrelle was really interested in one of the programs offering security guard training, Aisha was fascinated by the Million Trees project, while Carmen exchanged information with the editor of Represent magazine.
Following the conference, the young women from our Marian Hall residence shared an Italian meal with accompanying GSS staff at an upscale Italian restaurant and were able to practice the skills they were learning about dining out. They reflected on the day and the words of Larry Harris's mother as they noted the steps forward they had taken in their journey to independence.
July 11, 2011
