Marion County Job and Family Services, in partnership with Marion Goodwill Industries Inc., has once again provided summer employment opportunities to approximately 70 youth. The goal of the program, funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds, is to provide Marion County youth, ages 16-24, valuable work experience while earning a paycheck to help meet basic needs.
Goodwill is responsible for placing the youth at job-sites, as well as providing training, job coaching and mentoring. Their summer Earth Crew employment programs offer the opportunity for youth to develop a work history and have a current reference from an employer.
“Working closely with Marion Goodwill Industries, Inc. has been a successful partnership”, stated Roxane Somerlot, Marion County Job and Family Services Director.
Employment for worksites began June 1st and will continue to the end of the program which is August 31st. The participants are working an average of 30-35 hours per week and receive a wage of $8.00 per hour.
In addition to the age criteria, participants must meet the following TANF eligibility criteria: household income is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline; youth age 16-17 is a minor child in a needy family and is enrolled in school; or youth age 18-24 is in a needy family that also has a minor child; or youth age 18-24 has a minor child and are considered needy.
Somerlot says the TANF Summer Employment Earth Crew continues to be a strong employment program for youth as well as a great opportunity for local businesses. It provides businesses additional summer help and lets them evaluate and observe the youth before a potential job offer. This year’s employers are: Marion City Schools, Ridgedale and Marion Catholic Schools, City of Marion (Police and Utilities), Sims Bros., Marion Industrial Center, The Tall Grass Trail, Staffing Partners, The Palace Theatre, Marion Public Library, Marion Matters, Boys and Girls Club, and Marion County Agricultural Society.
One of the employers this year, The Tall Grass Trail, which is a part of the Marion County Park District, has reported great success with the program. The Marion Tall Grass Trail will eventually stretch 12 miles, from the trailhead site at 2093 Holland Road, just west of Marion, to the Hardin County line. The Earth Crew working at this location has really enjoyed the experience. Led by job coaches Tom Dyer and Ryan Daum and volunteer coordinator Dick Cooper, this group of young men have worked hard over the summer. They have planted prairie plants, cleaned up the front area by the trails and parking lot, watered the plants and have even done some painting with supplies donated by Marion Goodwill Industries. Several weeks ago, after the storm, they went to Terradise Nature Preserve also owned by the Marion Co. Park District and cleared fallen trees.
Three members of the crew, Dustin, John and Jacob have worked at the trails every day. All three boys attend Rushmore Academy. It is Dustin’s first job.
“It has taught me discipline, responsibility and reliability” stated Dustin.
The other boys are happy to gain the work experience. All three boys are happy to see people coming out and enjoying the trails.
“There are people out here every day walking,” said Jacob. “It makes the hard work worth it”.
Volunteer Coordinator Dick Cooper has been volunteering at the trails for approximately 10 years. When asked why he volunteers his time he stated “because I love it”. Cooper lives in Marion County and is retired from Clark Metal. The kids fondly refer to him as the hardest working volunteer they know. He feels the summer youth program is a great program giving young people the experience and discipline they need to serve them well in the future. He also stated that the job is very labor intensive.
Job Coach Tom Dyer is a Science Teacher at Rushmore Academy. One of the aspects he loves about the position is that it has enabled him to stay in touch with some of his students over the summer. He feels the program gives the kids the opportunity to be involved in the workforce and learn responsibility outside of school and that it has been a positive experience for all of them. After the program is complete, he plans on having students from Rushmore Academy volunteer at Tall Grass Trail during the school year.
“We are looking forward to seeing these young people grow and utilize the skills learned through their work experience to gain permanent employment in the future” stated Somerlot.
The Mission of Goodwill Industries Inc. is to assist individuals with disabilities and other special needs to attain self-sufficiency through employment and training, thus enabling them to reach their maximum potential within the community. You can learn more at www.mariongoodwill.org.
Photos:
- Photo 1 – Tall Grass Trails Earth Crew members – John Cooper – Volunteer Coordinator, Jacob – Earth Crew participant, Dustin, Earth Crew participant, Tom Dyer – Job Coach
- Photo 2 – Earth Crew Member Dustin clearing the trail at the Tall Grass Trail
- Photo 3 – Earth Crew Member Jacob clearing away the weeds at the Tall Grass Trail
- Photo 4 – Earth Crew Member John doing some painting at the Tall Grass Trails
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