News from TERC Youth Program: After-School YES Program (Youth Employment Services)
Submitted by Patti Brisley, TERC
Photo above: Cultural Interpreter Tristan Jimerson training Kenzie Luke in sales
TERC has implemented an after-school work program for high school students back in November 2020. Four youth worked 2:30 – 4:30 in Seneca Nation departments 4 days a week and then attended workshops on Wednesdays. It will be winding down during the month of May, so we wanted to share the great time we had with the youth!
One placement for two youth was with the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum/O nöh sa gwë:de’ Cultural Center. The two youth enhanced their knowledge of their history and learning of all the Haudenosaunee nations beginning from the Creation Story to European contact, to the formation of the Seneca Nation government to the 20th century and current events such as the Kinzua Dam, the re-location to today’s dealings with New York State and the United States government relations. They also had the wonderful opportunity to work in the Collections Department downstairs in the SINM! Such remarkable artifacts from documents, to paintings and pottery to jewelry and beadwork, collected ever since the museum opened, but dated way back to 100’s of years ago! Lastly, they also learned day-to-day operations of the Gift Shop and became certified 3-D Printer Operators (Makerbot model)!
Another youth was placed at the Tribal Advocate Office where he learned how important is not only to offer a helping hand but to see how much our nation is there for our families in a time of need. It was of particular importance because of the times we are in = this covid pandemic had really impacted everyday life for the majority of the world, and this youth saw it on a first-hand account, i.e. people laid off, needing food, clothing, housing appliances, etc. He was able to assist with some of the drive-through food distributions and mask/sanitizer distributions that allowed him to witness the ingenuity of still carrying out a goal but revising the way of getting it done. The youth even shared how he was surprised that he liked it so well at the tribal Advocate, being he had wanted a different worksite, but due to some departments still leery about having youth in their office, he chose to give Tribal Advocate a try.
Another youth was placed at the Allegany Community Center/Allegany Education Department – because each department was not operating 100%, they agreed to split the time for the youth 50% in each. Under the ACC, the youth learned how to answer and handle incoming phone calls, direct patrons to their destination, work as a team member when community events were planned, and more. Under Education, the youth learned of all the functions our Education Department does, and assist with accommodating their students and parents to their department.
The workshops were designed to teach the youth about interviewing and other job-seeking skills; employment success; career exploration; career readiness; workplace safety; financial literacy – banking, credit cards, credit scores, and budgeting; to name a few. Each participant received Certificates for each workshop helping them to build a portfolio to add to their resume’ and list of references. Being academics was stressed as the most important, the youth also had a ‘4-Year High School Plan’ which outlined what they should be doing each year starting with 9th grade working their way up to 12th grade, ideas like meeting with your Guidance Counselor at school, taking the right courses in high school, taking the PSAT’s and SAT’s, taking interest assessments, visiting colleges or workplaces, getting involved in the community, building relationships with mentors – make a list of references, and more!
All in all, the School-Year YES Program was a success! Nya:weh to the departments who participated! We know it was a challenging time with the pandemic going on, but rest assured, the youth and the YES Program followed all safety protocols set in place, from temperature checks and the employee survey, wearing face masks and using sanitizer, disinfecting the desks, chairs and room after each use, washing hands after punching in and out, staying 6 ft. social distancing, and the like!
