Summer is an exciting time in the life of many teenagers. Summer offers not only an escape from school but also welcomes the possibility of summer employment. Summer employment opportunities can be hard to come by, but in partnership with the Department of Economic and Workforce Development, our residents were able to gain valuable employment experience through a six-week workforce program known as the Summer Youth Employment Program. Youth employees were able to gain employment experience, learn life skills, and even have some FUN.

The Summer Youth Employment program has a great history at The Children’s Home and is anxiously anticipated every year by residents and staff alike. This summer youth were able to participate in a number of exciting trips and workshops like a trip to the Maryland State House in Annapolis and nutritious meal preparation.

Aside from exciting workshops and trips this program offers youth a glimpse at what life beyond residential care looks like, and prepares them for success as they transition beyond our campus. Life skills workshops on healthy relationships, drug education, and self-care allowed youth to learn about topics in small group settings through interactive activities and engaging conversations. Incorporating life skills workshops into the Summer Youth Employment Program created an overall more well-rounded experience for youth employees.

This summer we saw unprecedented success with the Summer Youth Employment Program at The Children’s Home. Of the 20 youth participants, 18 successfully completed the six-week program and several have secured employment elsewhere upon conclusion of the program. The list of adventures and workshops include:

• Interactive career presentations from the Coast Guard & Army
• Career presentation from the Maryland Beauty Academy & Baltimore Studio of Hair Design of Cosmetology
• Career presentation from Culinary Craft Workshop in Catonsville
• Financial Education Workshop from financial advisor Erika Dorsey
• Mock interviews
• Visit to the Maryland State House in Annapolis
• Visit to Community College of Baltimore County
• Trip to Cunningham State Park
• Trip to the Walter’s Art Gallery
• Trip to Annapolis Mall
• Progressive meal creation
• Vision board creation
• Gardening
• Power washing
• Library redesign project
• Custodial upkeep
• Clothing & Hygiene room reorganization
• Interactive workshops on Resume Creation, Healthy Relationships, Drug Education, Self-Care, Nutrition, Sexual Education, and Grocery Shopping.

Programs like this are made possible through the direct support of our community.  Join our team today, and help the kids in our care to SHINE!