Family of Woodstock, a United Way Agency, in conjunction with the Ulster County Office of Employment and Training (OET), has run the Youth Employment Program (YEP) for the last 9 years. This program assists participants to: developing work readiness skills, advancing their education, and/or attain training to further their employment opportunities and begin to plan for a career.  In addition, youth will be assisted with acquiring and retaining employment.

Most of these young men and women have left High School without attaining a diploma or GED, are not on the college track, have children, and don’t have the training or skills needed to obtain employment.  When these young men and women enter YEP, they are eligible to receive financial assistance for employment related expenses such as occupational training, internship or mentorships through local business, driver’s education, academic tutoring, GED preparation, assessments that will assist in identifying transferrable skills, connections to on line job searches and career resources, and assistance in writing resumes, seeking jobs, preparing for interviews and filling out applications.

One of our clients named Crystal, a mother of 2 young children and a high school graduate with no career plan made her way into the offices of Family of Woodstock, looking for assistance.  Crystal was living in a very rural part of Ulster County and found it hard to get any type of job due to lack of transportation, skills, childcare, or even a driver’s license.  When Crystal entered YEP, a whole new world of opportunity opened up for her.  Crystal’s Case Manager referred her to housing resources and got her an apartment in Kingston, where it is easier for her to have access to jobs, child care, supports and other needed services.  With funding from YEP, Crystal started taking driving classes and soon after, attained her NYS driver’s license.  Then, with the help of her case manager, Crystal was enrolled in Ulster BOCES Cosmetology Training and successfully completed her course of study.  While still enrolled in cosmetology classes, Crystal was able to receive assistance with buying dress clothes for interviewing, and also started an internship at a local salon where she would answer phones, wash hair, and clean up at day’s end, thus expanding her knowledge of the skills needed to obtain employment in her field.  YEP helped with funding for testing fees as well as her temporary license and supplies that she needed to complete her NYS Cosmetology license.  Crystal will be taking her written test next week, and will be taking her physical test soon after.

This is just one example of the many ways young men and women can benefit from Family of Woodstock’s Youth Employment Program.  I believe that our clients exit the program with a better understanding of their own skills, self discipline, and social responsibility.  I am proud to be a part of Youth Employment Program. If you or anyone you know of feel that they might benefit from this program, feel free to contact me at (845) 331-7080.

Thank You,
Brianne Olsson
YEP Case Manager
Family of Woodstock, Inc.