Joan P. McLaughlin

ERI
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE
Developing
Tomorrow’s
Workforce
Pg. 1
Volume I, Issue 1
Summer 2007
The Career Academies: Developing Tomorrow’s Workforce
This summer, 70 youth from the George Washington and Northern Neck regions,
Healthcare
Academy
spent two fun-filled weeks exploring one of three high-growth career fields - Healthcare,
pg. 2 - 3
Journalism and Law Enforcement. After participating in structured learning activities, the
youth selected a career and developed a Transition Plan to reach their goal.
Law
Enforcement
Academy
pg. 4 - 5
The Career Academy Gazette contains articles written and pictures taken by the
budding professionals who attended ERI’s first Journalism Academy. I think you’ll find,
especially those of you who are in the education and workforce development fields, their
perspective on career education and transition refreshing!
Journalism
Academy
Pg. 6 - 7
The Career Academies, an exciting opportunity that will be offered again next
summer, was made possible by a Discretionary Grant from the Governor of Virginia, and
private donors including Alexandra Krempasky, Birchwood Power Partners, Cox
Around Town
Communications, Job Assistance Center, Omigron Alpha Lambda, Shiloh Baptist Church
Hurkamp Park
Pg. 8–9
Wellness Center, the Silver Foundation and the Walter P. Richardson Fund.
Making Mural
Memories
Pg. 10
Plants: Great
Pets? Page 11
Restaurant
Reviews
Pg. 11
Additionally, many of the activities, guest speakers and field trips enjoyed by our
young career explorers were provided by professionals in our community who donated
their time and expertise.
I would like to personally thank the Central Rappahannock
Library, CVS, Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI Academy, Fredericksburg Fire Department
and Rescue Squad, Free Lance-Star, Germanna Community College, Mary Washington
Hospital, National Vision, New Vision, PetSmart, Rappahannock Area Health Education
Center, Rappahannock Regional Jail, Riverside Tappahannock Hospital, Shiloh Baptist
Governor
Kaine’s
Vision for
Youth and
How ERI meets
his vision
Pg. 12
Church and Wellness Center (Old Site), the Sports Center, Spotsylvania and Stafford
County Sheriff’s Department, Virginia Commonwealth University, the Virginia Department
of Forensic Science, Walmart and Woodmont Nursing Home.
Enjoy Your Summer Reading!
Joan P. McLaughlin
Joan P. McLaughlin, President
Employment Resources Inc.
Students Explore Paths to Future Careers
Teens Interested In Health Careers
Interview by Gaisha Pryor
By: Kati Bergman
When we are little we all dream about what we
are going to be when we “grow up.” Time flies
and before you know it though you find you are
about to graduate high school and all the
colleges you apply to want to know what your
major is going to be.
Monday June 25, 2007 here at the
Employment Resources Center we had a
visit from students of the Healthcare
Academy. Here’s my interview:
Gaisha: What's your name and how old are
you?
Person: Tameika and I’m 14 years old.
You’ve met crunch time. Now you have a matter
of months, weeks then days to tell the world
what you plan to do with the rest of your life.
Gaisha: Okay, what type of things have you
learned so far while being in the ERI Summer
Health Camp?
Though all students run into this problem not
many do anything about it.
Guidance
counselors only get you so far! This summer a
few students ventured out on their own to
explore possible options in the work force.
Through a summer camp in the field of medicine
these youth got a small taste of what a medical
career could be like.
Tameika: We learned that there are around
200 or more different types of health careers
to choose from, and that having medical
training can get you a high paying job. We
also learned how long it takes to be the type
of doctor you want to be.
“We learned all sorts of things: blood pressure,
blood sugar, CPR, how to bandage someone for
different injuries, and how to read a pulse,” said
student Jalesa Smith.
Tameika: I want to be an
(Obstetrics and gynecology).
Healthcare Explorers
completed CPR and
First Aid Training
during their
Academy
The students learned the basics in medical
treatment by practicing on manikins and taking
turns giving feedback to their fellow classmates.
They then got to practice on live patients
comparing results for blood pressure and pulse.
The Health Care Academy participants
extend a SPECIAL THANK YOU
to the Wellness Center at Shiloh Baptist
Church (Old Site) and the Rappahannock
Area Health Education Center!
Gaisha: That’s a lot! What type of medical
career would you like to pursue?
OBGYN
Gaisha: That’s good. Why do you want to be
an OBGYN? And for those who don’t know
what they do, could you please share with us
what it is that they do?
Tameika: I want to be an OBGYN because
they make a lot of money, and I want a lot of
money! It’s sort of like a midwife and they do
things with childbirth and the female body.
Gaisha: (Laugh) Okay, what type of field
trips has your group gone on?
Tameika: We went to Walmart to see the
Eye Doctor and PetSmart to visit a
Veterinarian. We also went to CVS and
talked with a Pharmacist and spoke with RNs
and Dietary Aids at Woodmont Nursing
Home. Oh yea, we also went to the library to
do some career research.
After the interview, the Healthcare explorers
checked our heart beat with a stethoscope
and our blood pressure with their very own
blood pressure cup. Never let inexperienced
students use you as a guinea pig!
Page 2
Health Care Shares
By Ande Bergman
On Monday June 25, 2007 the Employment
Resources Inc. Healthcare Career Academy visited the
summer Journalism camp around 9:55 in the morning.
This was a chance for the journalism camp to learn not
only about another career, but also to work on their
beginner interviewing skills. The day began when six
energetic healthcare campers ventured in the
Who said learning a new skill and
Employment Resources Inc. office with their blood
earning a Certificate couldn’t be fun?
pressure kits ready to demonstrate their impressive
recently learned- knowledge.
The purpose of the health camps is to introduce the campers into other medical careers.
“We have been to Wal-Mart to see the eye doctor, to Petsmart to see the vets, Woodmont the
nursing home, and to CVS to meet with the pharmacist," said Tameika.
Other people commented on these exciting trips like Jalesa Smith who said, “The field trips were
my favorite part!”
The children in this camp have also learned some very useful skills in their career field that could
also be use in everyday life, such as learning how to find a person’s blood pressure and how to correctly
carry out CPR.
“We have only practiced on manikins,” said Devon Smith. That changed though because shortly
after the interviews the health students partnered up and found the blood pressure of the journalism
students.
There were many giggles and smiles as the two camps joked with each other and became friends.
To both of the groups I am sure that everyone learned a lot about each others occupations and had a
ton of fun.
Dr. Damon
Vaughn, of
the MWH
School of
Radiology,
explains
his job
Dr. Robert Izzo, a physical
therapist at VCU, uses a model
to explain how knee
replacement surgery is done
Future Health Care
professionals, posing
with Felecia Cook, in
their new scrubs
Explorers learned how
to bandage limbs!
Explorers listen to the heartbeat of
a dummy “patient” while touring
the nursing program at Germanna
Community College
Page 3
Stop Bullying
Addressing School Related Crime and Disorder
While touring the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Department, Law
Enforcement Academy participants met with two deputies,
Charles Washington and Robin Kocher, They spoke with
the youth about their jobs as Student Resource Officers in
the local school system.
When asked what they thought one of the biggest crimes
committed in the school setting was, the youth correctly
guessed Bullying. As the Deputies explained, about 30% of
teens are involved in bullying as a bully, a target of bullying
or both.
“I was surprised to learn that bullies are four times more
likely than non-bullies to be convicted of crimes by age 24”,
stated one Academy participant.
“I think that their
(Deputies Kocher and Washington) jobs are really
important. I had no idea that by addressing bullying in
school, Resource Officers are really decreasing future
crimes! What a cool job!”
As part of their workshop on Bullying, participants explored
the “path” bullies take through the criminal justice system –
from the time the alleged offense took place to the bully’s
release from jail after conviction. “Did you know that every
one of the people we spoke to this week (Resource
Officers, Private Investigator, FBI agent, Judge and Officer
at the jail) works with bullies?” asked one of the youth of his
peers.
The youth were so interested in learning more about
Bullying that they researched it and worked together to
design
posters
as
part
of
their
own
“Stop
Bullying“campaign.
Brian Donohue won
first prize for BEST
POSTER in the
Law Enforcement
Academy’s
Stop
Bullying Campaign
ERI and the Law Enforcement
Academy participants extend a
Special THANK YOU to the
Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Department
and Fredericksburg United Methodist
Church for their support!
Page 4
Law Enforcement Dreamers in Training
By: Sarah Lewis
The law enforcement camp was one of the most interesting groups out of the whole camp.
As I asked the teens what they wanted to do in the law enforcement career most
surprisingly said they wanted to be in the forensics portion of law enforcement. I asked why
they wanted to choose the career they chose. Some said because they were inspired by
family members, some said they just wanted to help stop crime, and some were still
weighing their options.
“They were
inspired by
family
As I spoke to one student, Tiffany, she said she wanted to be in the area of Military police.
She said one of the reasons why was because there weren’t a lot of women in the field and
she wanted to make a difference. As I looked around at the atmosphere of their group, the
friendships seemed to be close.
members.
Some said
they just
wanted to
The Law Enforcement Academy also went to the jail and experienced life for inmates. They
[the students] explained what they liked and disliked about the jail. Most students said they
could smell the food and that they didn’t agree with the inmates who falsely stated that it
was bad - because they said it smelled good. They also explained about the size of the
rooms and recreation times for inmates. To me the law enforcement students got a lot out of
the class and they are all sure that this is a career they want to work in the near future.
help stop
crime.”
-Sarah Lewis
Group picture with
Lt. Timothy Yandle
of the FBI Training
Academy.
Law Enforcement Explorers with Deputies
Washington and Riley (Dive Team) and
Lieutenant Gill from the Spotsylvania County
Sheriff’s Department
Deputy Washington explains
“booking” procedure to explorers
Youth learn how to navigate
the Metro (a great new skill)
with Nicolette Ward on their
way to tour the DEA
Explorer learns about
the Drug Enforcement
Agency at their museum
Page 5
Opening Doors with the Free Lance-Star Tour
By: Ande Bergman
First thing early in the morning the summer journalism career camp pulled
up to the Free Lance-Star building, the local newspaper, five days in a
row for two hours and twenty minutes. They went to hopefully learn about
other career opportunities within the journalism work field. Every day they
met with Annette Jones, the person in charge of two sections of the
newspaper. She would pass out that day’s newspapers, and for the first
ten to fifteen minutes the students would highlight and discuss articles of
interest.
Photo By Ande Bergman
Inside the WYSK studio in
the Free Lance-Star
Building. Photo by Kati
Bergman
The third day was an adventurous day when the students took a tour of
the entire building. The tour was led by Edie Gross and was very
informative. They wandered into the printing room, the advertising
section, and the most favored spot of the students, the radio room.
The other days were filled with speakers coming in to discuss exactly
what they contribute to the Free Lance-Star. The students met with a
photographer, internet workers, radio workers, a graphic designer, the
head of the advertising department, and reporters. It was quite interesting
and many facts about the paper were taught to the students. Now with
their recently learned knowledge the students are ready to put their own
newspaper together.
I Found Out... At The Free Lance-Star
By: Ande Bergman
Our mission was to cover the primary eight jobs it takes to run The Free Lance-Star and learn as
much from the experts as possible so that the publication we would create could be of professional
quality. We had only two hours for five days to complete this mission. Newspapers and cameras in
hand, and minds at the ready we entered the building unsure of what was to come.
I mean what would you feel like if you walked into your local newspaper’s office with all the reporters
running around joking with each other finishing up the day’s stories. What would you feel when you
walked into the recording room of one of your favorite radio shows that you listen to almost daily?
Nervous? Excited? Intimidated? Although the staff members who came to talk to my small class were
very personable and did their best to encourage us to follow in their footsteps, I felt awkward in my chair
in the “meat locker.”
Everyday, save one, we were taken to a small room called the meat locker because of its chilly
temperatures to learn about guest speaker’s careers. I’m not saying that it was all bad. I admired the
enthusiasm of the employees and the way they paused to talk to us, despite the demands of a hectic
newsroom. I especially want to thank Annette Jones who was with us every single day even though she
was responsible for editing and composing the material for two sections of the newspaper.
During our visit The Free Lance-Star staff made sure to stress the point that the newspaper exists, the
news exists, to bring the truth to people. Since the beginning of the press, reporters have strived to
bring truth and information to the masses, deliver justice to those with a soft voice, and help bring about
much needed change. That’s what the newspaper is about, and as far as I can tell that’s what The Free
Lance-Star is about too.
Page 6
Our Trip to VCU
By Whitney Lash
On Wednesday June 27, 2007 the Journalism Academy took a trip to
VCU or Virginia Commonwealth University. We learned that their
three most popular majors were Biology, Psychology, and Mass
Communications.
Of course we were interested in the Mass Communications. So we
explored their world of mass communications. First we visited a
classroom filled with iMacs. Apparently Macs are better than PCs in
the view of photographers and such. But if they don’t happen to use
a Mac they resort to a Dell.
After we were done in that room we went to their TV station room.
We messed with the cameras acted like anchors at the anchor desk
and then went into the control room. There our guide told us about
their news broadcast (In Sight) which can be seen on the school’s
website. She told us about the way the controls work what the TVs
were for and all that good stuff.
Following that we went to the audio console room. That was a very
cool studio in my opinion. The audio console itself cost around
$7,000 to $8,000. Across the hall we went to where they held the
cameras.
“Across the hall we
went to where they
held the cameras.
We got a chance to
hold them and they
were heavy, but
very nice.”
-Whitney Lash
A Special Note of Appreciation to The Free Lance-Star
The Journalism Career Academy would not have been possible without the support of
The Free Lance-Star. The Free Lance-Star has a long history of supporting workforce
and educational programming in our area. Upon hearing about ERI’s newest training
opportunity for our region’s youth, Josiah P. Rowe III, President and Publisher met with
Florence Barnick and Nick Cadwallender, Associate Publishers, and other staff to
determine how the paper could become involved. They assigned professionals from
their staff to provide hands-on workshops and training opportunities for our budding
journalists. They opened their doors and shared a wealth of career education as well as
practical photography and writing skills tips with our youth.
The Free Lance-Star Publishing Co. is a family-owned multimedia company in Fredericksburg. It
includes The Free Lance-Star daily newspaper; three radio stations - WFLS-93.3, WYSK-99.3
and WWUZ-96.9; fredericksburg.com; and the Star Directory phone book. For 120 years, the
company has developed a reputation for integrity, credibility and innovation in this region and
throughout the media industry. (http://fredericksburg.com/flshome)
Page 7
Defeating the Heat
Story and Photo By: Katie Bergman
Over the ages technology has improved the lives of individuals without a
doubt, saving humans hours of tedious work as well as helping them regulate
temperatures. One of the most appreciated and perhaps the most essential bit of
technology for the summer, some would argue, is air conditioning as the sweltering
summer sun drives people indoors once again. The scene yesterday at Hurkamp
Park might have appeared to the casual onlooker otherwise.
It was a sultry summer day yesterday in historic Downtown Fredericksburg, but
that didn’t stop a parade of citizens from flocking to the well known park. People of
all ages, and every shape and size gathered together to enjoy the festivities that
included live country music, craft booths, and several food and beverage vendors.
The somewhat small section of the city reserved for recreation was speckled with
families on a myriad of colorful picnic blankets and tablecloths enjoying the fresh air
and the warm sunshine.
Several local organizations also took it upon themselves to make an
appearance at the “Fred Festival.” Local radio station WFLS pulled up to a curb in
their white mobile advertisement van and gave information and stickers to those
passing by. Stagedoor Productions, a local theatre group, set up their own table on
the lawn and proceeded to pass out promotional pamphlets for two of their
upcoming shows: “The Jungle Book” and “Smokey Joe’s Café.” Students from the
local career academy for journalism appeared briefly and could be spotted taking
pictures of unaware subjects for a photojournalism project.
“We had to create a theme [to photograph] and try and take pictures that
would fulfill that topic. It was really easy for me because my theme was children
and they were all over the place,” said student Ande Bergman.
Children could indeed be sighted everywhere, on the water fountain,
climbing fences, eating cotton candy, laying on the grass in the shade with their
mothers, running with no obvious destination, or even playing with soap bubbles as
they foamed out in a steady stream from a colorful plastic bubble machine. This
could probably be linked back to the fact that many of the attendees of yesterday’s
event were mothers from the Mom’s Club of Fairfax and their children.
The Mom’s Club of Fairfax is an organization
that supports women who are raising young children.
The organization attempts to conduct some sort of
activity for the growing families at least once every
week. The weekly “Fred Fest”, which is held every
Tuesday during the summer, seemed like a perfect
opportunity to round up the kids and head out to the
park.
Mothers and children were not the only
The Mom’s Club of Fairfax
attendees of the festival however. Many senior
took with their children at
citizens attended the event as well ad could be found
Hurkamp Park.
camped out in the shade surrounded by family and
friends. Salesmen, vendors, and musicians also filled out the crowd. Live country
music was performed before a great audience in picnic chairs under the shade of
great trees, with only a short break for a much needed bottle of water.
No matter the temperature the participants of yesterday’s Fred Fest had a
blast. The event will be held again next Tuesday for those eager to get in on the
excitement.
Page 8
Hurkamp is Great Opportunity for Families
Story and Photos By: Sarah Lewis
The band was enthusiastic with their amazing traditional country sounds.
Families were having fun just watching the band play and most people
knew the songs. Fred fest is a pure example of why music reins in
citizen’s lives yesterday and today. The band does play every week at the
park but sometimes Hurkamp chooses to go with some other bands on
Tuesday such as the local blues band. Whatever band Fred Fest Tues.
brings will be one of the local’s best whether it is blues or country.
Families and children were the main target for the festival. The children
had no problem enjoying themselves in the 98 degree weather. There
were some toddlers who stuck by mommy and enjoyed the time with the
family. There were also elementary age children who loved to play tag .
Although it was hot there were places all around the park where the
children could stay cool and still play hide-and-seek. Around the park
there were huge trees with tones of shade and there were also tents with
food and fluid supply. I would love to go back with my family. I
recommend every family with little ones to come out on Tuesdays and
come enjoy yourselves!
Posing for the camera a mother
and her child enjoy the day.
The shady areas were
very popular spots to picnic.
At the Fountain
Story and Photos By: Whitney Lash
On hot summer days what is a parent supposed to do with their kids? Something that’s in the
area and doesn’t cost a fortune but still is loads of fun? How about going to the park Hurkamp Park,
where you can enjoy the “Touch a Truck” festival. That’s what several parents, grandparents, and
group leaders did Tuesday.
Adults crowded under the shade of huge trees as the sun blazed, but the children didn’t mind
the heat, as they gulped downed sno-cones and watched the tempting water fountain. I have to say I
wouldn’t have blamed them if one of them happened to jump in somehow. The way the sun hit the cold
water as it fell to the bottom made it seem amazingly refreshing and beautiful. It probably also had to
do with the fact that the fountain was surrounded by lush greenery and brightly colored flowers. But
don’t worry about taking your child to the fountain and them jumping in; it’s fenced in by an iron fence
and has a brick boundary that most of the kids chose to stand on so they could be closer to the water.
One thing I noticed about the fountain was that it was a focal point of the park. Not only was it
n the center of the park but it also attracted attention from babies to adults to the bees buzzing
amongst the vicinity.
You would think that a simple fountain would not spark a single expression, but the fascination
n the little kids faces was amazing. It was a photographer’s, or even just a parent looking for good
pictures to add to the scrapbook’s, dream. It was just like a photographer’s paradise (anyway you twist
t). That added to the successfulness of the water fountain in my opinion.
So the next Tuesday in June you have nothing to do stop by Hurkamp Park from noon until 1 in
downtown Fredericksburg. Join in the Touch a Truck festival, where you can hear the local musicians,
taste the good eats, smell the great outdoors, feel the heat, and see the wonderful water fountain that
you just read about. Only at Hurkamp Park!
Page 9
Making Mural Memories
Friday June 22 2007 I interviewed Susan Spears president of the MORE foundation
while they were working on their latest project which was creating a mural. They did this on
the side of the building Roxbury Mills. The reason for this project was to unite diverse cultures
and revitalize the neighborhood. Youth, ages 11-18, have planning this project for a year, and
they started working on it in February. These kids have made a beautiful mural out of tiles
which now you can see if you chose to ride the trolley, because it knows drives past this mural
regularly.
By: Whitney Lash
The newest thing in Old Downtown Fredericksburg would have to be the colorful mural
created to “nurture diversity” and “cultivate harmony.” The mural was carefully put together by
a group of gifted artists working together on the city beautification project.
I was amazed at how quickly the wall came together. One day I drove by and they had
the sun and two flowers and pretty much the next day they were finished!
Congratulations to all the artists!
By: Kati Bergman
The once plain and simple wall in Downtown Fredericksburg is no longer, and it is
replaced by brilliant colors and shapes. This transformation started to take place in February.
This wall is so beautiful that it makes people stop their cars to take pictures of this
breathtaking site. I would have never guessed that tiny pieces of colorful glass could be
placed together to form such a picture. A wall like this could have only been created with
cooperation and teamwork. This creative work of art lights up the whole street, what a job well
done!
By: Ande Bergman
The week of June 18th members of our community united together for a weeks worth of
work. They called themselves “M.O.R.E”. The masterminds behind the project are Susan
Spears and Audrey, whose last name could not be retrieved. All together M.O.R.E. has nine
actual members but many people from our community came to volunteer.
“Many people think about it but they never put any action behind it, in our town we have
many people who come from different ethnic backgrounds it’s time to work together to make a
difference,” said Mexican American, Rudy. This is a way to give back to our community.
By: Gaisha Pryor
Page 10
Plants: Great Pets?
Story and Photo By Zack J. Krempasky
A plant makes a great pet to a green thumb expert or anybody for that they all are pretty in there own
unique way, they help gives us oxygen and rid us of carbon dioxide and brings out some environment
in the room your in. There are many other reasons to adopt a plant as a pet. “One of the main reasons
I think that the plant is considered to be a good pet is that they never run away and make noise, they
only listen” described by the “Adopt a Plant” stall in at the Fred-Fest in Downtown Fredericksburg on
June 19th, 2007. But like any pet they need to be cared for and can be sick or healthy depending on
the care by the owner.
If you had a
Tips for the Owner:
choice to
1. Be sure to read the tag to know how to take care of
adopt a
the plant.
flower, which
2. Adopt the plant that you really want and will take
good care of (just like a pet animal).
one would it
3. Adopt medicinal herbs if you want the medical
be? The yellow
properties (can be used for cooking).
4. Adopt spices for any practice on cooking.
or the red
5. Adopt flowers, trees and shrubs/bushes if you want
flower?
an environmental background to your area.
Fife: Food Review
On Friday June 22, 2007 I went to eat at this restaurant in Downtown Fredericksburg called
Fife. I ordered the Chicken Rachael. It was a sandwich with chicken, cheese, and coleslaw on it and it
was accompanied by a pile of hot fries. The meal was very good. They had many things to choose from.
I noticed there was a lot of pasta so if you enjoy eating pasta this might be the place for you. If pasta
isn’t your forte don’t be discouraged they had more to eat there than just pasta. There was a fully
loaded bar at the restaurant so you could enjoy a drink with your dining pleasure. The service at the
restaurant was okay and the place was clean. The meal didn’t take that long to be delivered partly
because we were the only people there, so I advise you to go and check out this restaurant Fife on
Kenmore Ave. in Downtown Fredericksburg.
By: Whitney Lash
Friday June 22, 2007 I went to this restaurant and lounge called “Fife” off of Kenmore Avenue in
downtown Fredericksburg. It was a peaceful place. The service there was excellent and the restaurant
was very clean. I ordered the Linguine and Shrimp with Clam sauce and a salad on the side with Ranch
dressing. I thought I was going to like it because it sounded good but after I tasted it, it didn’t meet
any of my expectations at all. I guess I was expecting something like Shrimp Alfredo but it wasn’t like
it. I added ranch to it to see if I could perk it up a little bit. It worked but I still had a dissatisfying
taste in my mouth so I decided just to eat the salad instead which was excellent. All the vegetables
were fresh and crisp. On the menu they have all types of food like Thai and Italian. The list goes on. So
if you want to go to a restaurant that’s clean and has a great variety, Fife is the place for you. Call for
reservations, 540-371-8880.
By: Gaisha Pryor
Page 11
Governor Kaine’s
Vision for Virginia’s Youth
Governor Kaine’s vision is for the Commonwealth’s youth to be a well educated
emerging workforce with a strong foundation of basic skills, thinking skills and
personal qualities with competencies to be effective workers. Youth will be
resourceful and able to: productively use interpersonal skills; organize, interpret
and
communicate
information;
understand
social,
organizational
and
technological systems; and apply technology to specific tasks. All of Virginia’s
youth will be exposed to a variety of learning options, work experience, skills
development,
leadership
development,
counseling
and
support,
and
connections to post-secondary training and education.
Employment Resources Incorporated
Designs and Implements Quality Programs that
Meet this Vision.
For the past sixteen years, ERI’s comprehensive workforce development services,
certified and accredited alternative education school, and innovative character
education, leadership development and transition programs, have assisted over
3,500 youth pass SOL tests and graduate from high school, participate in job
shadowing and internship experiences to identify their career goal, complete
competency-based work readiness and life skills classes, enter college or the military,
and obtain full-time, permanent employment.
In collaboration with the Juvenile Justice Workgroup and the Bay Consortium
Workforce Investment Board, ERI designed the Career Academies as a creative
and fun way to help our region’s future workforce explore three occupations in high
demand in our area. Through private funding as well as a Discretionary Grant from
the Governor, these youth completed structured career exploration activities and
created transition plans that will help them reach their identified career goal.
Thank You Governor Kaine
For Supporting Tomorrow’s Workforce,
The Youth in our Region!
Page 12