York Community Foundation helps to fund program providing at-risk youths with job skills

York, Pa. (Tuesday February 7, 2017)

Diakon Youth Services has received a $9,000 grant from the Fund for York County and the White Rose Foundation Fund of the York County Community Foundation to provide 20 at-risk youths with training in employment and related skills necessary for success in life.

“The funds will support initiation of what we are calling the Job Ready YOUth project in our Bridge program here in York County,” says Ron Davis, an executive director of Diakon Youth Services. 

“Our goal is to have 80% of involved youths complete the program with improved job-readiness skills, with 50% of participants interviewed for a job within three months of completing the training and at least 50% of those interviewed offered a job.” The project focuses on job searches, preparing applications and resumes, interviewing, and such job-retention skills as regular attendance, punctuality, self-control, problem-solving and interpersonal relationships, Davis adds.

Diakon Youth Services’ Bridge Program is a community-based, weekday support and intervention service that helps referred adolescents build a foundation of self-discipline and respect for family, teachers, the law and community. While the Bridge Program receives referrals through the county juvenile probation and children and youth offices, the Job Ready YOUth initiative will accept referrals from other community organizations.

The project is partnering with local employers and banking professionals to promote job-related contacts and financial literacy.

The York Community Foundation focuses on creating a “vibrant York County by engaging donors, providing community leadership and investing in high-impact initiatives while building endowment for future generations,” according to the foundation’s literature.

Gwenn Ftohidis of the grants department within Diakon’s Office of Development, left, with Elyse Pollick, community investment officer with the York County Community Foundation.