Updates On Our Workforce Development Programs

Things are happening here at the Workforce Development Center (WFDC). Despite the pandemic our programs are up and running, practicing safety protocols, to provide youth and adults in our community with mentoring support and programming. We would like to share some of our program highlights for this past month and spread some positive news.  It is community collaborations that allow us to provide resources and supports to participants in our programs.  Christine Pellegrino from Pellegrino Healing Center shared, “It is important to uplift and support our community members whenever we can; this program allows us to share our passions for healing and our business with interested participants who are eager to learn and to grow. We feel very excited about hosting a participant. Our center is happy to provide professional experiences for our community members.” If you would like to find out more information about the Workforce Development Center and how you can become involved, please reach out to me, Katrina Gobins, at katrina@dcrcoc.org. 

Youth One Stop Program: Spotlight by Nancy Herrera, Director. Collaborations with local organizations is important to the progression of our Workforce Development Programs. On Monday, September 21st one of many collaborations between Youth One Stop (YOS) and The Art Effect began. This collaboration gives YOS participants the opportunity to participate in the WIOA Bootcamp through The Art Effect, a local organization that empowers youth by providing them with a space to explore different forms of art. With a focus on visual arts and media, this program prepares youth with the skills necessary to feel confident in pursuing a career in media production. In the WIOA Bootcamp, YOS participants will receive hands-on work experience with media professionals and mentors on client-based media productions to prepare them for jobs as production assistants or assistant editors. In addition, Poughkeepsie Plaza in collaboration with Just A Buck, donated school supplies for City of Poughkeepsie students for a second year in a row. These organizations’ commitment to our youth demonstrates how strong the Dutchess County community can be when we come together. It is always great to see community support, especially during these difficult times. 

Project Forward: Spotlight by Marsha Sebro, Training and Employment Coordinator. Project Forward staff host weekly virtual and in-person workshops in the areas of Essential Life Skills and Workplace Skills. For the month of September, Workforce Development Center participants attended workshops on the topics of: “Attitude is Essential”, “Health is Wealth: Managing Stress”, “There is an I in Team: The Value of Teamwork”, “Keys to Communication: How to Handle Conflict”, and weekly “Job Search Friday” sessions. The Workforce Development Center is also happy to welcome Jenna Salmonese as Program Data Coordinator and Melinda Cuello as Case Manager to the Project Forward team.

Workforce Connections Program: Spotlight by Akeva Morrison, Case Manager.  This month, the Workforce Connection Program would like to recognize an energetic, resilient, and hardworking participant for securing work experience opportunity with the Pellegrino Healing Center. Lyasia Baker is a mother who has faced many hardships in life, and in the last few months, she has faced back-to-back tragedies. While developing a relationship with a case manager it was recognized that Lyasia’s main interests are taking healing courses and making essential oils with a goal in mind to become a healer herself. That interest sparked her case manager to reach out to a local healing center in Hyde Park in order to gain work experience doing the very thing that made her happy. With some help from her Case Manager, Lyasia secured an interview and toured the Pellegrino Healing Center. Afterwards, she was offered the opportunity to begin a work and shadow experience with the Pellegrino Healing Center for three consecutive weeks. We want to thank the Pellegrino Healing Center for opening their doors to provide this work experience opportunity and to congratulate Lyasia for being dedicated, committed, and resilient as she thrives towards success. The Workforce Development Center also would like to welcome Kamika Williams to our staff in the Workforce Connections Program as a Case Manager.