It’s back! After careful consideration, we are happy to announce that we will again be hosting the summer WorkWell youth employment program, in partnership with Opportunity NOW, STARZ, and MDHA.
WorkWell is a program of Global Outreach Developments International that offers job training and meaningful employment opportunities to youth. Teen employees are empowered with occupational training, and the soft skills needed to excel in the workplace. We are thankful to have the space and resources to employ youth safely under the current COVID-19 employment restrictions. With health screening processes and social distance policies firmly in place, G.O.D. Int’l will welcome 47 youth employees this summer!
Here’s a brief synopsis of what opportunities youth will have and who will be leading them.
Hopewell Farms
Hopewell Farms manager Geoff Hartnell will be leading a team of 8 WorkWell youth, as they learn the art of food production in an urban setting. Youth will be working on the farm practicing sustainable gardening methods, from working with seedlings through the harvest, taking their produce to a local market to learn the advertising and business side of food production!
Neighborhood Enhancement Initiative
Master Gardener Denise Bennecker will be leading another group of youth employees, training them on neighborhood landscape techniques, and preparing them to plan and plant an Arboretum on the G.O.D. Int’l property. WorkWell youth will build a “living fence,” pathway, benches, and permanent labels for the trees to make the Arboretum a hospitable environment for the public to explore.
Neighborhood Enhancement employees will learn to use geolocation technology to map and locate various tree species. They will then get their hands dirty clearing landscaping and planting trees for the HopeWell Neighborhood.
Camp Skillz Jr Counselors
Athletic Director Stephen Ownby will be leading a team of 12 youth in the organization of a summer camp program, coaching them as they plan and execute positive activities for children. Each WorkWell youth employee will be assigned a mentor to receive daily training as counselors for campers ages 5-11, with the opportunity to lead social and emotional growth activities and small group discussions.
Camp Skillz Workshop Facilitators
Also in the sphere of youth activities, Derek Bargatze will lead a WorkWell team in how to successfully plan and organize skill building workshops for children. They will learn the process of breaking down a concept into components, and teaching those skills in a fun, engaging way. Workshops will be diverse and include athletics, art and music activities.
Each Jr. Counselor will be assigned to work with a Camp Counselor experienced in youth work. They will receive individual mentorship in leadership skills and in how to facilitate social emotional learning activities.
High School Internship Work Program
One special aspect of this summer’s WorkWell program is the addition of employment opportunities for 17 and 18 year olds! After 4 years of programming for youth aged 14-16, many of our long term youth participants were aging out of eligibility for the original WorkWell program. When they expressed a desire to keep working with G.O.D.Int’l, we added the High School Internship Program so they could continue receiving access to these opportunities to learn, grow and work with us. We are happy to have a team of 17-18 year olds employed with us as Camp Counselors, Farm Hands, Hospitality Interns, and Non-Profit Administrators!
Global Outreach Developments International is thankful to Opportunity NOW, STARZ, and MDHA for all the work they have done to make summer programming available to youth this summer. We are ready to receive these youth into a peaceful and safe environment to work, learn, and develop friendships this summer!
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