12/02/2008
Getting there—one way or the other

10/01/2008
Providing an enhanced hiring pool

8/05/2008
East Los Angeles WorkSource Center helps employ over 2,000 people last year

7/01/2008
Workforce Solutions staff are second to none

5/15/2008
Katrina survivor finds success

5/12/2008
High Praise from Tyler Independent School District

4/21/2008
Rooter speaks highly of East Los Angeles WorkSource Center

4/05/2008
Arbor aides Griffen Security Agency

4/01/2008
Job Corps and RCHC join together to employ Phoenix

3/15/2008
CVS Caremark is committed to ODJCC

3/01/2008
Job Corps exceeds Lowe's expectations

2/12/2008
Macy's gives back to the community

1/23/2008
Circuit City and ODJCC combine to provide better training

1/15/2008
Arbor helps to stuff Au Bon Pain's hiring needs

Getting there-one way or the other

By Jason Richard, Arbor Bucks County Youth Program instructor

Christopher Robbins is just one such youth. Upon joining the program in September, the 17 year old immediately recognized the various opportunities for self-development in the Bucks County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Youth Center’s program. What he was less sure of, however, is how he would make it in every morning.

“The nearest bus stop is almost two miles away, and I’d have to cross the highway to get there,” Mr. Robbins said.

His father, a long-distance trucker and single parent, is usually unavailable to give him a lift.

Not to be deterred, this ambitious young man has followed a trend among our clients by utilizing one of the oldest forms of transportation known to man — the bicycle.

“It’s about 45 minutes each way,” he said, “but I can get up whenever I want.”

Interestingly enough, that’s about as long as the bus ride from the nearest stop, not including the long and treacherous journey he’d have to make just to catch it.

Mr. Robbins has good reason to make the trek on these increasingly chilly Fall mornings. High gas prices have made earning a living difficult for his father, who makes hauls round-trip to Connecticut in his big rig on a daily basis. To help out with the bills, the younger Mr. Robbins works nearly 35 hours a week for a local fast-food restaurant on top of the 20 hours students are required to attend the program.

Although the hours are long and the work can be tedious at times, he’s sure that his investment in himself will pay off.

“I want to go to school for business and own my own company some day, so this is the first step,” he said.

During the course of the program, he’s made great strides toward his goal. In less than two months, Mr. Robbins has raised his proficiency in both reading and math by several grade levels, obtained the National Retail Federation’s certificate in customer service, built a resume and cover letter and filled out forms for financial aid. He’s scheduled to take the GED examination in November and hopes to start at the local community college in the Spring 2009 semester.

The Youth Center at the Bucks County PACareerLink, a collaborative, one-stop operation that provides services for youth, ages 16 to 21, is a program of the Bucks County WIB. A team of dynamic professionals from multiple disciplines serve and support members as they develop independent living skills, build a network of social supports, attain education, and find stable employment paying a livable wage. The on-site teams are supported by personnel at the CareerLink, partner organizations and numerous associates, volunteers and career advisors.

Author’s note:
Coming up with unconventional solutions to transportation issues is just one way in which our students overcome adversity. In the year I’ve been at the Youth Center, I’ve been so impressed by how the students refuse to succumb to the difficult hand they’ve been dealt in life. As a result, I’m constantly reminded of the worthiness of our mission personified through the character of our youth.