E3 Power Center City assistant manager Lillian Penn explains how E3 can help member Jada H. earn her GED and start on a career path.

For those who didn’t complete high school, JEVS has options

Traditionally, back-to-school season is a time of preparation for embarking on a new journey, with butterflies-in-the-stomach feelings of anticipation and possibility. But for some, going back to school isn’t an option. That’s why JEVS Human Services offers so many different opportunities to help young people build a path forward.

At JEVS, it is our mission to provide individuals with the tools they need to chart their own course. Our youth programs help teens and young adults achieve their long-term goals by offering education, training, and employment opportunities to those who need them the most. Some are in person, some are virtual — all are designed to provide new possibilities, and hope.

If you or someone you know is interested in obtaining a high school diploma/GED, or learning new career skills, or finding employment that offers living wages as well as a career path, check out the sampling of programs below, or head over to our youth programs page for a list of a dozen JEVS programs designed to make sure at-risk youth don’t miss out on the opportunities to become successful adults.

E3 Power Center City

E3 provides educational pathways that include GED and/or diploma assistance, opportunities to find employment, and empowerment and life skills training to help our city’s youth (ages 16-24) develop the skills they need to get closer to the life they want.

E3 member Craig S. at the E3 Power Center City location, before the program went online only. 

During normal times E3 staff and members meet in person, but due to the pandemic the program has adapted to an online approach utilizing Google Classroom and Khan Academy. The program has been able to help members who do not have the tools or means to connect virtually by distributing laptops and internet hot spots.

E3 member Craig S. joined with the goal of getting his GED, but it in only a few weeks it turned into so much more. “I was tired of not having a GED and was being excluded from job opportunities without it. I ran to JEVS and now there are so many good opportunities and doors that are opening!”

Craig credits E3 assistant manager Lillian Penn with helping him take advantage of all the program has to offer. “Lillian just made me comfortable with the whole process. She really helped me break out of my shell.”

“I try to help them find their voice,” said Penn. “Whatever they are going through, I want them to know they are respected and valued. I want them to know that ‘I see you as a person.'”

For more information or to apply, contact E3 here.

Project WOW

JEVS Project WOW (World of Work) offers free skills training, job placement assistance, and GED® /high school equivalency test preparation for Philadelphia youth ages 18–24.

Project WOW “means the world to me,” said member Bayir H. Through the program, he received his Penn Foster diploma as well as OSHA 10, OSHA 30 and Hilti certifications.

The program also has expanded supports available to graduates of the program, including paid internships, leadership training, and scholarship funds.

Project WOW students can choose one of two training options: the Building Trades track provides training in basic property maintenance & repair; and the Computer Technology track offers instruction in computer skills and repair. At the end of the program, dedicated staff help students from either track continue training, pursue secondary education, or find a job and start on a career path.

At the advent of the COVID-19 crisis, Project WOW made the transition to online learning. Last month, they transitioned back to meeting in person at Orleans Technical College.

For more information or to apply, contact Project WOW here.

IT Career Readiness

IT Career Readiness is a free training and career exploration program offered by JEVS hireAbility that prepares young people to pursue a career or post-secondary education in the field of Information Technology (IT).

IT Career Readiness instructor Muhamed Gashat teaches computer technology over the Zoom platform.

The program offers classroom training, an 80 hour paid internship, preparation and a voucher for the Comp TIA A+ exam, and incentives for meeting program benchmarks. (CompTIA stands for Computing Technology Industry Association and the exam is to certify the competency of entry-level PC computer service professionals).

Participants gain hands-on training in areas like digital literacy, installation and configuring operating systems, cloud-based computer, web design and entrepreneurship.

“I’ve seen young people in the program gain self-confidence and independence,” said Tara Campbell, project coordinator. “After completion, graduates move on to more rigorous training programs or college, or enter the workforce.”

The program is now recruiting for its next cohort, which will consist of a combination of online and in-person learning.

For more information or to apply, contact IT Career Readiness here.

For a complete list of JEVS programs offering education, training, and employment opportunities to teens and young adults, check out our Youth Programs page.

 

Posted in Blog JEVS Program: E3 JEVS Program: Project WOW Youth & Young Adult Services