Jobs Not Guns Youth Career Building Workshop
The Coalition hosted the first Jobs Not Guns Youth Career Building Workshop, entitled: “A Roadmap to a Career” that targets high school juniors and seniors and District youth (ages 16-24) who are seeking career opportunities as an alternative to college. The Coalition establishes a Planning Committee to plan the design, implementation and production of the workshop in collaboration with District of Columbia Public Schools, District of Columbia Charter School, DC Department of Parks and Recreation and the local community; identifies and solicits potential Guest Speakers and Panelists to provide guidance and assistance for overcoming barriers to targeted careers. The volunteers were also included in the participation of the workshop for their individual professional growth.
The Coalition workshops provided tools for youth to establish a path to a career and volunteer service to address employment priorities and challenges. The agenda included training, apprenticeship, internship volunteerism and supportive service programs for District youth to serve as a deterrent to youth violence in the Nation’s Capital.
The Youth Career Building workshops include:
PLENARY SESSION: How Do I Find a Job?
Presentations provide a summary of requirements from employers for applicants that include skill training, employment experience, personal profiles (dress, grooming, articulation, etc.), attitude, demeanor and references to determine job readiness for employment, internship and/or mentorship opportunities with their companies.
SESSION# 1: Been There, Done That!
Testimonials are presented by former perpetrators of gun violence who share the results of gun violence and its impact on the perpetrators, family and community; present how they developed a change in their lifestyle and suggests paths for change for youth moving forward; and share their experience of employment discrimination based on their past and their road to overcoming barriers to employment that has resulted in obtaining and sustaining an alternative lifestyle that has afforded them the ability to earn a living, provide for their family and contribute to the community.
SESSION #2: What Do I Have To Do?
The workshop presents a roadmap to careers available and steps available for the participants to achieve their goals. The youth meet with employers and training programs in attendance to discuss their opportunities and provided a list of available resources, i.e., skill training programs, apprenticeship programs, supportive service programs and provide guidance on how to design and implement a roadmap to a career based on their individual interest.
WORKSHOP REVIEW
The overall impact of providing a vehicle for District youth to understand the results of gun violence and its effect on their peers, family and community. It provides a reason why potential employers are hesitant to hire District residents and especially youth. It also provides options for youth including volunteering an alternative lifestyle based on the development of a career track toward employment that will support youth’s ability to gain and maintain financial resources through employment. Options that also will enable them to provide for their family and support their neighborhood.
The greatest takeaway is a model through partnerships and violence intervention advocacy to collectively create and sustain communication and support to District youth that offers programs and resources to deter them from gun violence and chose a self-sustaining career path whether through collegebound, vocational, volunteer or employment opportunities. The transformation of perpetrators of gun violence will ultimately create safer neighborhoods.