EASTON — In a joyous graduation program at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department on July 14, 46 students completed the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board youth program. The six-week work program gives students with learning disabilities and handicaps not only a path get out into the workforce, but many retain their jobs after completing the course.
These teens do all kinds of things across five counties like washing dishes, taking movie tickets at a theater and working at a day care center. There are lots of different businesses who are willing to work with these students like Aaron’s Place, Dorchester Parks and Recreation and the Kent County Animal Shelter.
One student learned data entry so thoroughly that he was teaching his employer a few tips.
As their names were to get their diploma, some were shy and some were triumphant with their arms in the air. Most were dressed up for the event. The crowd clapped enthusiastically for every kid. There were tears of joy as parents snapped cell phone pictures of their child in front of the balloon-covered backdrop.
“We are here to celebrate our summer youth connections program that we do for youth in the Upper Shore from Kent all the way down to Dorchester,” said Dan Schneckenburger, executive director of Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board. “Students with any kind of learning disabilities or handicaps, we place them with the employer. We off job coaching along the way.”
He said this was the culmination of their achievement and their first job. He says they work with employers and with Division of Rehabilitation Services, which is part of The Maryland Department of Education.
“For a lot of these kids this six-week program is their first paid work experience. YMCA, animal shelters, restaurants. One kid liked IT. We placed him at the St. Michael’s library,” he said.
Case manager Elizabeth Chiocca watched with pride as the kids got their diplomas.
“It is hard for local youth to find jobs and this gives them a stepping stone that they need,” Chiocca said. “Some of the businesses are actually hiring our students.”
Youth coordinator Deborah Boulden said she likes the intake part, where other people have written these students off.
“Because they do have a disability, some people write them off,” Boulden said. “We take them as they are and don’t write them off. And we make diamonds.”
Boulden spoke to the crowd from a lectern. She was proud of many students who not only completed the six-week program, but stayed at their place of employment to keep working.
Mason Callis worked as a “dishwasher at Mamma Mia’s in Sudlersville, Maryland. Clean dishes, sweeping floor out in the lobby and in the kitchen. And washing and more dishes. I like my job very much, and I am a hard-working person.”
Savannah Quinn had a clerical job at Chesapeake College with tasks like shredding paper and making name tags for folders.
One successful multi-year participant in the program is Connor Swann. He is 21 now and was a keynote speaker at the event.
“Miss Debbie and Miss Elizabeth helped me get jobs. I started in ninth grade. One job was Chesapeake Cats and Dogs and the other was Talbot Humane Society. That helped me get great skills toward working with animals,” Swann said. ”Right now I work at Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat in Kent Island. I am starting to train people now. I completed the veterinary assistant program at Chesapeake College. I am getting my associates degree in liberal arts. Then it is off to the real world of working.”
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