JYC program empowers youth with free landscaping training
July 15, 2024 | Dane County, Wisconsin
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The JYC Workforce Development Free Certificate program is making strides in providing free training for individuals aged 17 and older from underrepresented communities, including the elderly. The initiative aims to equip participants with skills in yard care and landscaping, fostering employment opportunities in a field that offers livable wages ranging from $20 to $25 per hour.
Currently operating out of a 10,000 square foot facility in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, the program serves an average of 13 to 15 students per class, with a focus on inclusivity. The demographic makeup includes Hispanic women, African Americans, and efforts are underway to attract more Caucasian male participants. Classes are held every other month, with plans to transition to a monthly schedule, and participants receive free lunch and transportation.
The program is not a nonprofit and is funded entirely through private donations and sponsorships. The JYC is seeking approximately $587,450 in funding to sustain and expand its operations, including instructor compensation and facility acquisition. Currently, instructors are compensated out of pocket or asked to volunteer their time.
In addition to the core training program, JYC is also developing a mentorship initiative for younger students aged 10 to 16, collaborating with veterans and providing community services such as lawn care for local veterans' organizations and highway clean-up efforts. The overarching goal is to create a comprehensive workforce development hub that supports individuals from various backgrounds, including those transitioning from incarceration, by offering entrepreneurial training and resources to foster self-sufficiency.
The program's leaders emphasize the importance of creating a positive impact in the community, aiming to empower participants with skills that can lead to stable employment and contribute to reducing crime rates by providing viable career paths. However, concerns were raised during the meeting regarding the program's sustainability if it does not receive the full requested funding, as the minimum funding needed aligns with the total request.
Currently operating out of a 10,000 square foot facility in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, the program serves an average of 13 to 15 students per class, with a focus on inclusivity. The demographic makeup includes Hispanic women, African Americans, and efforts are underway to attract more Caucasian male participants. Classes are held every other month, with plans to transition to a monthly schedule, and participants receive free lunch and transportation.
The program is not a nonprofit and is funded entirely through private donations and sponsorships. The JYC is seeking approximately $587,450 in funding to sustain and expand its operations, including instructor compensation and facility acquisition. Currently, instructors are compensated out of pocket or asked to volunteer their time.
In addition to the core training program, JYC is also developing a mentorship initiative for younger students aged 10 to 16, collaborating with veterans and providing community services such as lawn care for local veterans' organizations and highway clean-up efforts. The overarching goal is to create a comprehensive workforce development hub that supports individuals from various backgrounds, including those transitioning from incarceration, by offering entrepreneurial training and resources to foster self-sufficiency.
The program's leaders emphasize the importance of creating a positive impact in the community, aiming to empower participants with skills that can lead to stable employment and contribute to reducing crime rates by providing viable career paths. However, concerns were raised during the meeting regarding the program's sustainability if it does not receive the full requested funding, as the minimum funding needed aligns with the total request.
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