Bars to Bridges Boosts Client Workforce Engagement
By: Jaime Dunkle
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Bars to Bridges at Multnomah Education Service District boosted client workforce engagement this fall after receiving a Community Investment Grant for Youth Workforce and Innovation from the Youth Development Division for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years. The award is for $199,600.
B2B has expanded services on job skills, workforce access and career preparation for B2B-eligible youth and their siblings with the addition of the recent funding.
Focus groups conducted by RMC Research in 2019 reported that students accessing B2B services expressed their need to work to help financially support families. Many of the students work and attend school, simultaneously.
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“I wasn't going to college. I was just going to do real estate. [A transition specialist] told me to take up a trade as well. I've been studying to be an electrician and real estate at the same time.”
- a youth quoted in an RMC Research focus group for the B2B evaluation report, June 2019.
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Activities employed from the workforce grant will facilitate more opportunities for B2B-eligible youth and their siblings to enroll in combined education-career programs, trade schools, CTE programs and vocational programs.
A Family and Work Lead position was established to expand these workforce efforts. B2B appointed lead roles to transition specialists in the program to increase client support this school year, with the coinciding House Bill 2016 grant renewal and the addition of the YDD grant.
“A big part of my new role is being able to help the team and the youth we serve with connections that can help youth and their families,” Family and Work Lead Charles D. said.
Charles D., in this specialized position, will connect clients to a variety of resources: job fairs, workforce orientations and social services such as access to food, shelter and health care.
“I’m excited about this role because I can do more for the youth and families we serve,” Charles D. said.
For more information on B2B, go to: barstobridges.com.
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