Youth Voices: The WorkReady Experience programs.

The Philadelphia Youth Network is the man- aging partner of WorkReady Philadelphia and contracts with several dozen youth-serving organizations to operate WorkReady pro- grams on behalf of the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board and its Council for College and Career Success.

The following organizations partner to recruit employers for WorkReady Philadelphia programs: All youth photographed in this report participate in WorkReady Philadelphia and/or other Philadelphia Youth Network-affiliated Network-affiliated Philadelphia and/or other Youth participate in WorkReady All youth photographed in this report i TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Internship Programs 2 Jannette Rivera 3 William Tindal 4 Chanel Dowell 5 Employer Perspective: Lisa Petrivelli 6 Work Experience Programs 7 An interview with Nyfiece Carter, 8 Ronald Champion, Donnell Clark, Marcellous Herring & Nicholas Shanks Academic Support Programs 10 Lizbeth, Anabeth & Sarybeth Rosado 11 Service Learning Programs 13 Andrew Riley 14 Malik Anderson 15 Year-Round Programs 16 Andrea Smith 17 Charimar Valentin, Eric Wainright 18 & Ebony Fortune WorkReady Supporters 20 WorkReady Providers 21

ii INTRODUCTION Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) is committed to the vision that all of our city's young people take their WorkReady programs offer young rightful places as full and contribut- Philadelphians not only their first job, ing members of a world-class work- but skills for success. Young people force for the region. As a key part of who work during high school often realizing that vision, PYN manages a master valuable skills that can help set of programs collectively known them do better in high school and col- as WorkReady Philadelphia on behalf lege; learn new things that open their of the Philadelphia Workforce eyes to career possibilities; and earn Investment Board and its Council for more money later in life. When young Career and College Success. These people learn how to become better programs provide academic enrich- employees, entrepreneurs and leaders, ment, career and college preparation we are all better off as a city and as a and exposure to the world of work society. for thousands of young people each Through providing financial and admin- year. Because educational attainment istrative support while simultaneously supports professional attainment, holding contractors to high standards, every participant completes a project WorkReady programs strengthen all or portfolio connected to academic interested parties—including employers, standards which also qualify youth direct service providers, schools, neigh- for school credit. borhoods and the young people them- selves.

WorkReady employment opportunities are incredibly diverse. There are five types of WorkReady programs in this report: internships, work experience, academic support, service learning, and year-round. Last year, 7,898 young Philadelphians participated in WorkReady programs at over 700 dif- ferent worksites. The following report provides eighteen first-hand perspec- tives on ten WorkReady sites.

1 Internship Programs

Summer Internships provide older youth the opportunity to gain work experience, career expo- sure and learn specialized skills in a challenging, but nurturing work environment. Businesses of all sizes and types, from corporate to non-profit, throughout the Philadelphia area sponsor and host youth. These internships are designed not only to refine participants’ workplace skills, but also to develop their talents and help them to envision and plan for future educational and career endeavors. Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) and its contracted providers support employers to ensure a high-quality experience for both the employers and the interns. The intern- ships are enriched with a pre-summer orientation and off-site workshops held one day each week to reflect, share and further develop skills. All interns also complete a portfolio, a portable col- lection of the youth participants' credentials, accomplishments, and acquired skills. 

2 jannette rivera Worksite: Independence Blue Cross “ …you start learning and you're like 'I can actually do this! It's not that hard after all!'”

wo years ago Janette Rivera told one of her teachers at Jannette felt that the WorkReady Weekly Kensington High School that Seminars prepared her for a professional T she was going to try to get a work environment. She was able to learn job at McDonald’s for the summer. The "everything you would need for a job" toward her mentor for all that she has teacher, recognizing the potential in Jannette says, including communications done for her. "I love her, I really do. She's Jannette, suggested that instead she skills, how to work as a part of a team my mentor." apply for an internship through ASPIRA, and how to present herself. She also felt an organization dedicated to the educa- that the Seminars fostered a supportive Jannette's favorite memory from her sum- tion and empowerment of Latino youth. environment where interns could express mer at IBC was meeting Joseph Frick, This was the beginning of her WorkReady their challenges and receive valuable feed- president and CEO of IBC. Mr. Frick is journey. back from staff. "so busy, so I was grateful that he took Jannette was placed at Financial Integrity The seminars also helped Jannette learn out 10 minutes to talk to me," she said. Resources Management in Summer how to be a self-starter in the workplace. "I asked him 'What makes you want to 2007. When she began, she was over- "If there is a job to be done you can't give back to the community?' I said, 'I whelmed by her first foray into the pro- assume that somebody's going to do it." know in a way that there's a business fessional world. "I went and I really didn't Jannette says. "…I'll take the initiative side to it.' He said, 'Honestly, the busi- know anything about the business world and say 'Do you want me to do it?' or ness side in it is trying to get young peo- at all," she admits. "It got to the point 'Who is going to do it?' so I make sure it ple to learn about business and commu- where I went home crying because I was gets done." nity so they can be the next leaders of like 'Oh my God, this is a lot of pres- these companies.' Then he said, sure.'" IBC provided its own professional devel- 'Personally I love dealing with the com- opment, organized by John Clayton, IBC's munity. It's our community, and we have Jannette dealt with the pressure by turn- Workforce Development Manager, for the to take care of it.' " ing to her mentor, Jeanette Hernández 50 WorkReady interns it hired to work at Harris, CFO and Partner at Financial its offices in Summer of 2008. Working at IBC, and, in particular, this Integrity Resource Management. "We experience with Joe Frick, engendered a were really connected, so I could go talk "IBC is amazing" Jannette gushes, while major shift in Jannette's worldview. "I to her," Jannette explains. "When I had explaining the array of offerings, such as looked at corporate companies as money questions, I asked her…That's how I got a college application session lead by IBC's hungry people, and I never wanted to through it." college interns and a resume writing work for a big company," she says. "I workshop. was always for a small company because I thought they would be putting more Jannette's favorite part of her ASPIRA "My favorite thing with IBC is the way internship was the exposure to the busi- into the community. And then I went to they've mentored," she says. Jannette is IBC…They put so much money, so much ness world that she received. This new very close with her mentor, Karen perspective had a huge impact on her time, so much effort into helping out the Walters, the Senior Director of the community." Speaking of Ms. Walters, self-confidence. "During the first summer Executive Offices. "She was a true men- it was a personal change for me…you Mr. Clayton, and Mr. Frick, Jannette tor…she gave me news articles every day. explains that, "they're people who know start learning and you're like 'I can actual- Whether it was from the internet or ly do this! It's not that hard after all!'" how to work with the youth. They see newspapers, she gave me articles every that they're going to be older and we're In 2008, she applied for a WorkReady day and she taught me about future going to be taking care of this nation. Summer Internship at Independence Blue trends." Jannette wants to go into medi- We're the future leaders of the nation Cross (IBC) and was placed in the cine and most of these articles focused on and they see that if they don't nurture Executive Offices. On a typical day, the new developments in the health and [us], we won't be a great nation." Jannette did everything from answer wellness fields. Ms. Walters also included phones to deal with customers’ questions articles and information about higher Jannette was asked by IBC to continue to post community relations documents. education. She introduced Jannette to working in the Executive Offices during "I basically help out anybody and every- some of the smaller area colleges the 2008-2009 school year and accepted body," she said. Jannette had not considered before. the position. Jannette's feelings go beyond gratitude 3 william tindal Worksite: Comcast “ It's crazy to be my age and have an opportunity like this.”

with a smile on their face." I still want to work here. I want to stay." Based on interviews, journal entries and surveys from Summer 2008, the William got his wish. After his intern- personal relationships that young ship in Summer 2008, William was people develop during their internship hired part-time at Comcast. In addi- experience are viewed equally as tion to working at Comcast, he cur- important by the youth as the work rently attends Community College of experience that they gain. William Philadelphia and plans to major in was fortunate enough to bond with a Business with a minor in Comcast employee whom he Entrepreneurship. illiam Tindal began his describes as being "like my older sis- participation in ter." She assisted him with applying WorkReady Summer to college and helps him to stay WInternships in 2007. focused. When speaking of the work Prior to WorkReady, he had never had environment, he says, "It's really like a a job. He learned about the program family. I can go to them for any- through Enon Tabernacle Baptist thing." Church. After completing the applica- tion process, he was given the choice While walking through the hallway in to work at either a bank or for Summer 2007, William met Ralph Comcast. He chose Comcast. Roberts, the co-founder of Comcast. This chance meeting is one of many Never having the experience of work- exciting experiences that William has ing in a corporate environment, had since becoming an intern at William came into the internship with Comcast. Working at Comcast has his own assumptions of what working also afforded William the opportunity at Comcast would be like. "I thought to learn about and preview products everybody was going to be before they are released to the public. uptight…It's been way different. He was able to view some Comcast People truly care. And you learn, but commercials a year before they aired you don't really know that you're on television and he was introduced learning because you're actually doing to technology that Comcast is devel- work." oping: 3D television.

In Summer 2008, William worked in William admits that his internship the Human Resources department. He experience has helped him to mature. handled executive referrals, tracking, He feels that earning money has I-9 forms and severance issues. He encouraged him to make better deci- enjoyed his experience as a part of sions about managing his finances. the HR department. He felt that it His internship at Comcast has also showed him the importance of work- helped him to discover that he enjoys ing as a team in order to accomplish interacting with people. "I just like goals. "It's just being a team…people dealing with people. I like helping do their part and, if they don't do people." their part, you have step up for them." He was also met with kind- As a result of his internship at ness and patience by Comcast Comcast, William looks forward to his employees. "When [I] really don't future and achieving success. "It's understand, I can always ask 'Can you crazy to be my age and have an explain it again to me for the 40th opportunity like this. It just makes you time?' and they just keep saying 'Yes' want to rise to the top. [In the future]

4 chanel dowell Worksite: Albert Einstein Medical Center “ I was around all the doctors and dressed up like they did. It was exciting.” n Spring 2008, one of Chanel nervous. I had never seen anything like Dowell’s teachers at Mathematics, that; I'd only ever seen it on TV! I was Civics and Sciences Charter School like, 'I can't believe I'm actually seeing The Facts I of Philadelphia told her that there this! A baby is actually being taken out!'" was an opportunity to work in a hospital This experience was not merely an educa- through WorkReady. An aspiring nurse, tional moment for Chanel; it boosted her According to the 2008 that was all Chanel needed to hear. She confidence as well. "I was surprised; I did- Youth Satisfaction applied for a WorkReady internship n't think I would be able to take it," she through the Central Enrollment Center in remembers, "but I did. So I was like if I Survey: The Gallery at Market East. can take that, I can take anything."

Chanel was placed at Albert Einstein Overall, working at Albert Einstein  92% of youth were Medical Center. Because she wants to go Medical Center not only confirmed satisfied with their into pediatric nursing, she requested to Chanel's desire to go into nursing, but work with infants. Caring for infants has also gave her a new perspective on the summer work experi- industry. "As far as paper work and stuff, allowed her to travel all over the hospital, ence but she spent most of her time shadow- I didn't know about that. I thought it was ing and aiding nurses in Labor and hands-on all the time," she admits. But Delivery and the Neonatal Intensive Care she learned about more than just the  89% of youth indicat- Unit. logistics involved in nursing. "It helped me to deal with patients, people skills…I ed that their work One of Chanel's responsibilities is to edu- feel like I gained a lot from that" cate new parents about a serious topic: skills have improved as Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). Chanel After graduation in 2009, Chanel wants a result of their sum- explained that SBS "could cause long- to enroll in a nursing program. She is term damage to babies' brains. It could looking at programs at Thomas Jefferson mer work experience rupture blood vessels in the brain which University and Community College of can cause bleeding. It can cause blind- Philadelphia. ness, paralysis, seizures and the worst is  88% of youth felt death." that they were more Chanel has met some challenges during prepared to get a job her internship. "Some people don't in the future as a understand English or speak English, so I have to find a way to still get the mes- result of their summer sage across. "I have to find an inter- preter...for deaf people, I need to find work experience somebody that knows sign language." Chanel was also met with resistance from parents who felt that they did not need a parenting lesson. But Chanel just remind- ed those parents that the SBS training is mandatory and tried to not let it bother her. "Some people say they know about Albert Einstein Medical Center it and some people don't. So those that don't know about it, it makes it worth- while to tell them," she reasoned.

Chanel's favorite part of the summer was when she was allowed to observe a Cesarean Section. "I was around all the doctors and dressed up like they did. It was exciting." She said, "At first I was

5 employer perspective

Lisa Petrivelli Senior Corporate Human Resources Generalist, Day & Zimmerman

Day & Zimmerman was founded in shipped to U.S. troops in Afghanistan. 1901 in Philadelphia as a partnership The interns chaired their own meet- between an engineer and a consult- ings, did all the publicity and managed ant. Today, Day & Zimmerman is one the collection sites. "They came of the largest private companies in together as a team," Lisa said, "they America and earns over two billion are like their own little well-oiled dollars in revenue annually. Despite machine." their presence in more than 75 coun- tries, the Day and Zimmerman's cor- WorkReady only asks that interns are porate headquarters remains in employed for 20 hours per week. Philadelphia. However, because of their contribu- Mentoring provides tion to the company, most of the “ In the summer of 2008, seven interns have increased their time to 36 WorkReady interns were employed at hours per week- at the request of Day employees with a Day & Zimmerman's corporate head- & Zimmerman. quarters. The interns were assigned to leadership opportunity. several departments, including Engaging with her interns has trans- Information Technology, Facilities and formed Lisa's idea of corporate citi- Accounting. Lisa Petrivelli, Senior zenship. "It has caused me to reevalu- It's a way to re-engage Corporate Human Resources ate my responsibility as a profession- Generalist, coordinated their summer al," she said. However, Lisa feels that your employees in experience and acted as a mentor to the benefits of supporting WorkReady one intern, Ryan. internships are institutional as well as personal. She explains that from a something they can At first, Lisa admits that she thought Human Resources perspective, "men- that coordinating the internships was toring provides employees with a lead- really be proud of. just another part of working in HR, ership opportunity. It's a way to re- ” but she explains that her mentorship engage your employees in something role "ended up being one of the most they can really be proud of." personally fulfilling things I do." "The program globally has been a From the very first luncheon Day & phenomenal professional experience," Zimmerman held for the interns, Lisa Lisa said. Based on her experience has been able to watch them grow with the internship program, Lisa and build relationships. She charged decided to join the Young Friends of the interns with organizing a commu- PYN so that she could assist in raising nity service project together. They awareness of WorkReady and its developed the concept: Operation impact on the lives of Philadelphia's Support Our Troops, a weeklong drive young people. to collect wish list items that will be

6 Work Experience Programs

Work Experience programs combine employ- ment at a non-profit organization or public sec- tor agency and academic enrichment during the summer. Youth participants work together to complete an academic project, the progress of which is monitored by a WorkReady Academic Advisor, a certified teacher hired by Philadelphia Youth Network. This qualifies participants to receive one academic credit from the School District of Philadelphia, and enters them into the project competition held at the Convention Center each August. 

7 an interview with... Nyfeice Carter, Ronald Champion, Donnell Clark, Marcellous Herring & Nicholas Shanks Provider: Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition Worksite: Travelers Aid Nyfiece Carter is a senior at Lincoln High School. Summer 2008 was his second summer working for Travelers Aid Camp. The mission of Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition (GPUAC) is to unite govern- ment, business, neighborhoods, and individual initiative to improve the quality of life in the region, build wealth in urban communities and solve emerging issues. As a provider organization, GPUAC placed approximately 600 young Philadelphians at over 90 non- profit worksites throughout the city in 2008. One such worksite is Travelers Aid of Philadelphia, an agency which runs a family resi- dence and provides counseling and case management to the area’s homeless population. The growing number of children requesting services led to the development of programs for academic enrichment and emotional recovery. As part of this initiative, Travelers Aid runs a summer camp at the Kirkbride Center in West Philadelphia.

Ronald Champion is in 11th The counselors at the Travelers Aid summer camp are WorkReady interns, recruited large- grade at World Communication ly from the shelter system itself. On a typical day, they lead activities with the campers, Charter School. Summer 2008 was his first summer at the have academic lessons, and research their summer project on the various movements Travelers Aid Camp. within the Harlem Renaissance. On an Academic Advising visit, five counselors were interviewed by a PYN representative. The following is taken from that interview.

How did you hear about the opportunity learned about marine biology. We made to work at Travelers Aid? algae books. [The same way] you would Nyfiece: Through the shelter system. I press a flower in a book, we pressed the Donnell Clark is a 10th grader just heard it was something to do during algae after collecting samples. at Mastery Charter School. Summer 2008 was his third year the summer. Nicholas: Meeting new people. working at the Travelers Aid Summer Camp. Ronald: I heard from my mother. She wanted me to do something this sum- What is something that was challenging mer. She doesn't want me hanging out this summer? How did you deal with on the street like I did last year. She said that challenge? "Get out and do something!" Nyfiece: The drama of the kids. Everybody in here has been through the Donnell: Through the shelter system. My shelter. Been there done that. Close that mother said they're having a program. I book of the story and turn to a new wasn't so sure about it. I went and actu- page. Because we're all in here, we just ally liked it! I did the after school year- act regular. We're like, "Oh you're in the Marcellous Herring is in 11th round program too. grade at University City High shelter? That's cool. How long you been School. Summer 2008 was his third summer with Travelers Aid. Marcellous: I heard through the shelter here? You been to Travelers Aid? No? system and my sister had been in the You should be there!" It helps us build program before. our character for stuff we have to go Nicholas: I was at a different shelter and through. Like if you're outside in the someone at my graduation ceremony world, it kind of builds up your character said "You can get a job at the camp and so you can do better things [and] so you work with the kids." won't break down as easily. Donnell: Doing dissections was really What was your favorite part of the sum- hard. We were able to work together to

Nicholas Shanks graduated in mer? figure it out. June 2008 from Martin Luther Donnell: Playing basketball with the kids. King, Jr. High School as valedictori- Marcellous: The drama of the kids. an of his class. He was awarded a Marcellous: Going to the beach. We full scholarship. At the time of this Sometimes they would come in just mad interview, he planned on attending either University of the Arts or the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Summer 2008 was his first sum- mer with Travelers Aid. (continued on next page) 8 about something. We have to sit them grow from other ones and they learn. down, talk to them…Some kids, they Donnell: A judge or lawyer. This helps don't like the shelter. It's their first time with reasoning in the court room. With and because of the shelter they felt any problem you have to use reasoning lower than low… Everybody just told to decide which evidence is more con- them it's alright being in the shelter. I learned vincing. I have to practice reasoning with “ the kids in lessons. What is your career goal? Have you compassion learned anything during your summer Marcellous: Engineer. The math and the experience that will help you attain that science and reading practice [will help and goal? me]. Nyfiece: I'm going to be a psychologist. Nicholas: Videogame designer. reasoning. Seeing the different personalities of dif- ferent people and how they act really Is there anything you learned this sum- You gotta see helps me in discovering different things. mer that you will apply elsewhere in Like how people can change their per- your life? both sides of sonalities and change their traits and Nyfiece: I learned compassion and rea- what they do in groups and things and soning. You gotta see both sides of the the story. it's a whole different way when they talk story. ” one-on-one with a person. You can see the inner person just by looking at them. Ronald: Everybody's not like you, every- body doesn't think like you, so don't get Ronald: To be an author. [I want to] mad over it, just compromise. write poetry and songs. [For the Harlem Renaissance Project] we're reading a lot Donnell: Responsibility. That's a major of stuff from that time and from this one. Because we're responsible for mak- time too to compare it. And it's like, ing sure it all works right for the kids. Or "Oh, that's where you got that lyric like in the dissections, if you didn't do it from? Langston Hughes?" Thinking how right you have to take responsibility for everybody relates to it. How all writers your mistakes.

9 Academic Support Programs

WorkReady Academic Support pro- grams focus on developing academic skills while providing exposure to higher education and career options. Many of these summer programs take place on college campuses. Youth who participate in Academic Support programs also complete academic projects.

10 the rosado sisters Lizbeth, Anabeth & Sarybeth Rosado Provider: Congreso de Latinos Unidos Worksite: Congreso de Latinos Unidos/Villanova University

...they’e opening our eyes to colleges... I'm “ going to start scholarships that accept 11th graders and start saving up. ” Exito addresses its partici- business plan competition at the pants' needs through the Villanova University School of lens of an entrepreneurship Business. In the very first week of curriculum. Three days per the program, students made busi- week, students have an ness pitches to their peers and Advanced Topics in instructors. Nine were chosen and Entrepreneurship course, covering received a $50 loan from Congreso, everything from economics to public- to be paid back after the sales ity to manufacturing methods. They events. ongreso de Latinos also have the Wednesday Academy, Unidos' Exito Youth which holds post-secondary educa- Sarybeth's pitch resulted in a loan. Development Project tion and job-seeking skills work- She and her sisters teamed up with a C exemplifies the shops. In addition to the workshops, few other friends and developed Ice WorkReady Academic Support pro- youth participate in academic enrich- Box, a water ice stand. After doing gram model. Congreso's mission is ment activities as a part of the market research during the second to strengthen Latino communities Wednesday Academy to keep their week of the program, they decided through social, economic, education, skills sharp for the coming school that young people were their target and health services; leadership devel- year. demographic. Many of them had opment; and advocacy. The Exito summer jobs and with this new- program targets North Philadelphia Sarybeth cited the classroom time as found cash flow would be able to youth at Thomas Edison High School, her favorite part of the program. spare 50 cents for a water ice. Plus, a neighborhood school where over She's a hands-on learner and appre- as Sarybeth explains, "We picked three-quarters of students are Latino ciated Ms. Marizol, one of their this for the summer because it's and 86.2% of students receive free instructors. She explains that "our going to be hot! So why not have or reduced price lunch.1 During the teacher is fun, but she gets to the something to cool you off and 2003-2004 school year, the percent- point and there was never a dull quench your thirst?" age of dropouts or near-dropouts in day." the School District of Philadelphia The plans for the nine small busi- that were Latino was 19.4. The total Lizbeth faced some challenges in the nesses were presented at the culmi- percentage of dropouts or near- classroom - in particular, understand- nation of a one-week residential dropouts for neighborhood schools ing the concepts of return on invest- retreat at the Villanova University in the School District was 21.1.2 ment and return on sales. But her School of Business. Each group had teachers gave her the individual to prepare a 16-slide PowerPoint Anabeth, Lizbeth and Sarybeth attention she needed. "Mr. Anthony business proposal. According to Rosado - triplets in 11th grade at helped me out and explained it. It Anabeth, getting ready for this was Edison - joined Exito for the first time took me a while and he didn't leave, one of the hardest but best parts of in summer 2008. According to he just stayed and waited ‘til I got the summer. "Most other businesses Anabeth, they went to the Student it," she says. take six months, a year," she Success Center at their school and exclaims, "and we did it all in three were told that there was a program The Winning Pitch weeks!" They dealt with the pres- that "teaches about a certain Though the students appreciated the sure by delegating tasks among careers…and it gives us skills for it." classroom time, they were focused group members. She was also nerv- Her sister Sarybeth jumped in, on actually becoming small business ous about having to speak during adding, "And it gives you a credit for owners. Perhaps more importantly, their presentation. "I wasn't all that school!" they were interested in winning the

1 School District of Philadelphia school profile: https://sdp-webprod.phila.k12.pa.us/school_profiles/servlet/ 2 From Unfulfilled Promise: The Dimensions and Characteristics of Philadelphia's Dropout Crisis, 2000-2005 (continued on next page) 11 good with speaking in front of peo- to be…rich to get in there," she we have to pay back Congreso, so ple. But then they told us how to explained, "there's other ways to get we needed a way to make [money] speak in front of people, to make in there!" To help fund her Ivy fast. So we charged them $5 per eye contact, how to look profession- League education, Anabeth has day." In the end, the businesses al, talk professional and seem profes- already started planning her applica- made over $700 profit, over $100 of sional…" she says. Their hard work tion for the Bill Gates Millennium which they chose to donate to chari- paid off: Ice Box won first place in Scholars scholarship she learned ty. the business plan competition. They about from the information sessions. were awarded a monetary prize Lizbeth was so impressed with her Opening Doors towards development. time at the Villanova University Exito was much more than an eco- School of Business that it has nomic education class, a water ice A Whole New World stand or a college counseling The week at Villanova intro- session. The girls all felt they duced Lizbeth, Anabeth and learned skills and underwent Sarybeth to the world of col- personal change that will help lege, a world to which they them in other areas of their had previously had very limited lives. exposure. Prior to this experi- ence, the Rosado sisters had They agreed that they all never heard of Villanova, or learned how to conduct them- any post-secondary school selves in and out of the work- other than Community College place, as well as how to pres- of Philadelphia. During this ent their points of views so week, the triplets and the that they will be received in a The Rosado sisters and other members of their program present their positive manner. They also other participants lived on project at the 2008 WorkReady Closing Ceremony. campus and participated in learned the importance of business and higher education work- become her first choice. She is con- communication skills and profession- shops with representatives from the sidering being a business owner in alism. Sarybeth remembers that one Business School and the Office of the hotel industry and has learned of her supervisors, Andrea, said Admissions. Sarybeth found the the value of going to a school with a "that everyday you have to set your- Admissions workshops really helpful. good reputation. "If I have a degree self as a professional…" Sarybeth By having these sessions, "they're from the Villanova School of also felt that as a result of managing opening our eyes to colleges, not Business, people are going to write Ice Box, she became "more responsi- only Villanova. And they're telling us me bigger checks!" she explained, ble, more organized." their prices and about different "They'll be like, 'she went to a good Anabeth really appreciated that after scholarships," she says. school so she knows what she is their first paycheck, they went over doing.'" Now, with this information in hand, the basics of budgeting. "I realized I the sisters have their sights set high. Big Business didn't know where my money went! … So they taught us how to save "I'm going to start scholarships that After their time at Villanova, Lizbeth, our receipts and calculate how much accept 11th graders and start saving Anabeth, Sarybeth and their Ice Box you spent the whole month of July." up," explained Sarybeth. She wants team participated in a three-day This exercise prompted her to be to go to Drexel and participate in sales event in North Philadelphia. more responsible in how she spent their Co-Op program because of the Other student businesses at the her money. Sarybeth notes that she opportunities for internships all over event included a lemonade stand, a started asking herself questions like the world. "I am going to be a doc- car wash, and Latin food vendors. "do you really need that? Do you tor so I [can] go out and help with One thing the Ice Box team did not really need that sneaker in green if patients in Africa or something. I anticipate was the competition from you already have it in blue and yel- don't like to just sit in a class and I Scream for Ice Cream, a nearby ice low?" in order to help her make learn all day. I want to do some- cream shop. They decided to modify wiser choices about how to spend thing. You can make connections their business plan by offering a new her money. and spread out. That's why I want a product to attract customers: gelati, Co-Op," Sarybeth says. a mix of ice cream and water ice. The girls hope to enroll in They also joined forces with I Scream Anabeth, a straight-A student, now Congreso's after-school program and for Ice Cream to eliminate the has her sights set on Harvard Law participate again next summer. "The potential for competition. They were School. She had no idea about the program opens up doors…and more able to realize a 25 cent profit on Ivy League before this summer, but doors." Sarybeth explained. "And as every gelati sold. "And," Sarybeth now is aiming for the top. "For Ivy soon as you open those doors, more explained, "we were charging them League schools you don't only have of those doors open for you!" for our freezer…We were thinking 12 Service Learning Programs

Service Learning program participants work in teams to develop projects that incorporate active community service as well as academic enrichment during the summer. Projects address current commu- nity needs, typically as defined by group participants. Service Learning programs also include a career exploration component. Youth who participate in Service Learning programs also complete academic projects.

13 andrew riley Provider: Communities In Schools of Philadelphia Worksite: Bala Nursing Home “ You grow exponentially once you get involved with a program like this.” ndrew Riley wants to be a Although he initially joined the pro- cardiothoracic surgeon. He gram to explore his medical interests, has always wanted to be a Andrew's favorite part of the pro- A doctor. Because of this, gram is interacting with the resi- Andrew jumped at the chance to dents. He feels that this helps him work in a nursing home when his experience caring for patients. "It older brother told him about the gets me really excited," he explains, opportunity during his freshman year "I know I want to do this. It lets me at Roxborough High School. "Why know this is where I want to be." not help people with what I find Andrew, "he didn't have the oppor- interesting?" he says. Andrew was particularly close with tunities we have today" and was one resident, Anthony. They would never able to get an education. This Andrew has spent the last four years joke around together, and every day has inspired Andrew to take advan- working at Bala Nursing Home as Anthony would yell "Where's my tage of all the opportunities that part of the Roxborough son?" referring to Andrew. It was a come his way. Intergenerational Dialogue Project, challenge for Andrew when managed by Communities In Schools Anthony's health started to deterio- Over his four years at Bala, Andrew of Philadelphia (CISP). CISP programs rate. Anthony could no longer come has cultivated his leadership skills, serve over 13,000 students per year down from his room to do activities improved his ability to work in a and target with the rest of team and practiced delegation. From youth who are the residents working in a group to planning at-risk of drop- and youth activities like the Senior Olympics, ping out of workers. Andrew has learned that it is neces- school. More Andrew strug- sary to recognize the different than half of gled with how strengths in others so that each per- the youth he could help son can be used most effectively to served come Anthony. He get the job done. "You grow expo- from house- spoke with nentially once you get involved with holds that Anthony's a program like this," he says. receive nurses and got Temporary permission to In Summer 2008, Andrew, was Assistance to Andrew and other youth who worked at Bala Nursing Home come up and present their project at the 2008 WorkReady Closing scheduled to attend Villanova Needy Families Ceremony. spend time University in Fall 2008 and planned (TANF). with him in his to major in biology. room. He felt that keeping Anthony Participants in the Roxborough engaged would "give him another Intergenerational Dialogue Project reason to fight." They would watch connect with senior citizens at the the Price is Right and eat peanut Bala Nursing Home and learn about butter and jelly sandwiches together, the healthcare industry. They spend all the while shouting out their own half of each day engaging in recre- bids for the brand new dinette set. ational activities and crafts with their "senior buddies." They also explore "They have an enormous amount of the jobs available at a nursing center wisdom," Andrew says of the resi- through interviews with current dents. He says that he has been able employees and research into subjects to apply the lessons from the sen- like educational requirements and iors' lives to his own. For example, potential salaries. one of his senior buddies worked as a laborer his entire life. According to

14 malik anderson Provider: Communities In Schools of Philadelphia Worksite: Men of Distinction at Simon Gratz High School “ I know how to talk, not just professionally, but how to engage.” ing assignment of Russell Simmons' customers. For only $5, a customer Do You!: 12 Laws to Access The could have their car washed and Power in You to Achieve Happiness have a burger while they waited. The and Success. The book draws from business opened outside the Boys Simmons' experiences as founder of and Girls Club, where the cars lined Def Jam Records, the spiritual up and local TV and radio stations insights he has gained through yoga came to cover the event. practice, and the value of philanthro- py in his life. Malik found the book As a part of the Men of Distinction "inspirational." team, Malik learned how to have a professional demeanor. "You know hree years ago, when Conducting interviews and interact- what you should do," he says, but Malik Anderson went to ing with others were the most chal- now after the course "you see how the WorkReady Central lenging but rewarding parts of to do it." His communication in par- Enrollment Center in The T Malik's experience. He came to real- ticular has improved. He says that "I Gallery at Market East, he expected ize that opinions are not right or know how to talk, not just profes- to get a job doing manual labor wrong but that people have different sionally, but how to engage." because he had no real work experi- views. He now asks himself why ence. Little did he know that he people think And though would spend the next three years in the way they do Malik has Community In Schools of instead of criti- learned the ben- Philadelphia's Men Of cizing opinions efits of forming Distinction/Males Achieving he doesn't career goals Responsibility Successfully program. agree with. instead of just He was pleasantly surprised to find Malik thinks looking for a himself discussing current events and that this skill is job, the work doing research projects to help his going to help experience has community. him a lot in the helped him find future. He plans a job in the For summer 2008, Men of on going to col- short term. Distinction focused on the communi- One of the handouts used to promote the campaign to lege and wants increase community awareness about childhood obesity Malik now ty issue of childhood obesity. to become an and the behaviors that contribute to it. works as a Everyday, Malik and his teammates author. "When cashier and worked on designing a campaign to you're here you think about how usher at a local movie theater. He increase community awareness others think," he explains, "and says that he was able to land this job about the obesity epidemic. They when I write, I try to get in charac- because of the interviewing skills he researched relevant data, conducted ters' heads." developed and the references he peer-to-peer interviews and collected gained during his summers with feedback from the community. The 2007 summer project was Participation in the Fitness Lifestyles WorkReady. another source of pride for Malik. for Youth curriculum - featuring The theme for that summer was weekly yoga, strength training, car- entrepreneurship and the partici- diovascular fitness, and cooking pants came up with a plan to start a classes - taught Malik and his col- combination carwash-hamburger leagues how to live a healthy lifestyle stand. The participants convinced so that they could motivate others to Pep Boys to donate over $500 of implement it in their own lives. supplies. This investment meant they could keep the prices down, which One of Malik's favorite parts of the would attract more summer was the program-wide read- 15 Year-Round Programs

Year-Round programs are funded by the Workforce Investment Act and provide servic- es to both in-school youth (ISY) and out-of- school youth (OSY). The programs focus on both educational success and workforce development. During the summer, Year-Round program participants also complete academic projects. 

16 andrea smith Worksite: St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children “ When I’m at work, I’m all professional...”

After she was accepted into the pro- gram, Andrea worked in the Heart Center and in the Electroencephalo- graphy, or EEG, Unit at St. Christopher's. During this placement, she learned administrative skills, including faxing, filing and copying. She also learned technical skills, one t. Christopher's Hospital for of which was how to administer a Children's Health Tech heart stress test. Most importantly, Program provides Olney High Andrea learned how to conduct her- School students with hands- S self in a workplace. "When I'm at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children on experience in the health care work, I'm all professional," Andrea industry, as well as college and explains, "but when I leave the hos- workplace preparation. Guided by a pital I go back to being a normal 16- professional mentor, 11th and 12th year-old girl!" grade students become paid staff members at St. Christopher’s. Tenth During this placement, Andrea's grade students have the opportunity mentor had her do research about to shadow the older students one different health professions and day per month. Eleventh grade stu- Andrea fell in love with physical ther- dents spend one full day per week apy. As a result, her mentor helped working in the hospital. Twelfth her arrange an opportunity to shad- grade students have the option to ow a physical therapist. work four days after school and one full day per week at the hospital. Andrea appreciated that the Health Tech program provided opportunities she would not have been able to find anywhere else. She didn't know anything about St. Joseph's University, for example, before attending a special college fair held for Health Tech participants. She did additional research about St. Joseph's and found out that they have a six year program resulting in Andrea takes her work at St. Christopher’s very seriously and appreciates the opportunity. a Bachelors and a Ph.D. in physical therapy. She has now set her sights Andrea Smith heard about the on that program and is doing every- Health Tech Program at St. thing she can to prepare. By con- Christopher's Hospital for Children trast, Andrea explained, "most of my through a friend. "They treat you friends don't even know what they like a real employee, it's just like want to do after high school!" being a full hospital staff member!" Participating in Health Tech has her friend told her. Andrea wanted helped Andrea figure out what she to be a pediatrician, so she knew wants to do with her life and helped this was a great opportunity. She did her find a path to success. not hesitate to apply. 17 Charimar Valentin Eric Wainwright Ebony Fortune Provider & Worksite: Free Library of Philadelphia

he Free Library of one of the people who helped her to Philadelphia employs nearly learn English as a child. "I want to two hundred high school do a tutoring program that has to T students as part of its Teen do with Spanish and English because Leadership Assistant (TLA) program. I want to be a language teacher. I During the school year, TLAs work think that will be a good experience with the LEAP After School Program for me," she says. and offer homework help, computer training and other enrichment pro- There are also personal benefits of grams for more than 80,000 children participating in the TLA program. Ebony and Charimar both learned and teens each year. During the The Central Library Branch of the Free Library of summer, TLAs work four days per Philadelphia. patience from working with the kids. week in the library and on Fridays Ebony explains that when the kids attend trainings at the Central "I develop programs for them to do are being difficult, she reminds her- Library on topics like professionalism, everyday when they come in," self that this is a real job. "You think college applications, and presenta- Ebony says. The TLAs have a lot of about the money and you're like ‘I tion skills. freedom to develop activities to do have to be calm because I'm going with the children. "In the summer, to be paid!’" she says, laughing. At Charimar Valentin, Eric Wainwright typically, I'll come in…I will get a Dobbins, Ebony is studying Pastry and Ebony Fortune are TLAs during group together and read a book to and Culinary Arts and plans to be a both the summer and the school them" she says. "Or I will set up a pastry chef. She thinks that working year. Summer 2008 was the second program, like a craft program. It at the library will help her reach this summer at the Library for Eric, a depends on the day. Usually, goal. "In order for me to be a chef, I 2008 graduate of Central High Wednesday is technology day, so I have to be able to attract people School who headed to Arcadia take them into [the] lab and do a and attention so I can sell my prod- University in the fall, and Ebony, a technology program." uct," she explains, "working at the senior at Murrell Dobbins Career and library, that's just teaching customer Technical Education High School. For Charimar works at a smaller branch service." Charimar, a 10th grader at Bodine and spends a lot of her time working High School for International Affairs, with a summer reading program that Participating in the TLA program has 2008 was the first summer that she also gives prizes to active readers. improved Eric's confidence and com- participated in the TLA program. "They got really excited about it," munication skills. "My job is to walk she explains. "The kids were coming around and talk to people randomly During the school year, TLAs focus over to me and asking if they could and ask if I can help them…like, 'Hi, most of their time on helping after- read to me. They were lining up, lit- my name is Eric, how can I help school program participants with erally, so they could read to me!" you?' Before I used to be so critical homework. The job becomes more about what people thought of me or demanding during the summer After finishing her first year as a TLA, what they would say whenever I said months. "In the summer, there are Charimar has been brainstorming things," he remembers. "Then when so many more kids and they're here other activities for the upcoming I learned how to interact with peo- seven hours a day. In the summer my year. "I'm really excited, I have a lot ple I became comfortable with peo- job is to tame them!" Eric explains. of ideas!" she says. Charimar speaks ple around me in the library and English, Spanish and French and is then in general." After two years During this past year, Eric came up learning Chinese. The library has with an incentive program using the been a key resource in her mastery video game Dance Dance Revolution of these languages. "I didn't know and has continued it during the English when I came here," she summer. "If they read a book and explains. Her current supervisor is they wrote a short summary of it…they get a little ticket to play the game. It was my idea. I still do it in the summer too. I think it's good. The kids like it." (continued on next page) 18 with the TLA program, Eric says he This family might be too good for I’m really excited, has undergone a "metamorphosis in Charimar to leave, in fact. "There is “ personality" and has become an this book I read to the kids, a story extrovert. called The Child Raised by the I have a lot of Librarians. It was funny because it All three TLAs agree that helping the reminded me of me" she says. "It ideas! children and youth in the program is was about a kid that grew up in the ” the best part of their job. Charimar library. Since he was in first grade he explains that "if they have troubles was so interested in books. with reading and you're actually able Eventually he went to college and to help them, you can actually see the librarians became his best friends the huge smiles on their faces after and he got a job at the library. And I they got it." Eric agrees, adding that look and wonder, 'is that going to be "to see them learn, it's like a real me?' Maybe I'm not going to be a gift. I can understand why people teacher, maybe I'm going to end up want to be teachers." being a librarian!" Charimar really feels at home at the library. "You can get so close to a kid that it's like they're a little brother or little sister," she says. "The library is like a family," Eric agrees. "LAs [Library Assistants] are like people you can look up to and learn from. The branch manager and the librari- ans are like the parents."

The Facts 7,898 youth were employed through the 2008 WorkReady Philadelphia Summer programs.

 Gender  Race  Ages of the Youth Served 54% Male 75% African American 25% 17 years old 45% Female 12% Hispanic 24% 16 years old 1% Other 5% Caucasian 18% 15 years old 3% Asian 17% 18 years old 3% Other 7% 14 years old 2% Bi-racial 6% 19 years old 2% 20 years old 1% 21 years old

19 2009 WorkReady programs are made possible with support from: (This listing represents commitments made as of June 12, 2009. For an updated list, please visit www.workreadyphila.com/investors )

WorkReady System Funders Government agencies, foundations and organizations that fund the overall WorkReady system of programs. City of Philadelphia Philadelphia Housing Authority Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare School District of Philadelphia Pennsylvania General Assembly U. S. Congress Pennsylvania General Assembly U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Philadelphia City Council U.S. Department of Labor Philadelphia Department of Human Services William Penn Foundation

WorkReady Premier Internship Employers Businesses that hire and pay for youth internships at their worksites. Those listed in bold are hiring 10 or more interns.

Abington Memorial Hospital ACE Group Acme Markets Aqua America AT Chadwick, Co. Bittenbender Construction Blank Rome, LLP Brandywine

Realty Trust Brown's Super Stores, Inc. Burman's Medical Supplies, Inc. Cancer Treatment Centers of America CBS 3/CW Philly 57 Citizens Bank

City of Philadelphia Comcast Comcast Spectacor Communities In Schools Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley Day &

Zimmerman, Inc. Deloitte DMJM Harris/AECOM Drexel University Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC Episcopal Community Services Ernst &

Young ESM Productions Family Planning Council Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Fox Chase Cancer Center Friendly Mortgage Garfield

Refining Company Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation Holy Family University

Independence Blue Cross JEVS Human Services Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia KPMG, LLP LaSalle University Law Offices of David T. Shulick

Esquire Liberty Property Trust Main Line Health Marketplace Philadelphia Management Mercy Philadelphia Hospital NHS Human Services Parente

Randolph PECO Pennoni Associates Philadelphia Academies, Inc. Philadelphia Business Journal Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Health and Welfare Fund Philadelphia Gas Works

Philadelphia Golf Management, LLC Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Courtyard Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. (OIC)

Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia University Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board PNC Bank PricewaterhouseCoopers PRWT Services Inc. Reit

Management & Research Roofscapes, Inc. Saint Joseph's University Saul Ewing, LLP Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP STARR Restaurants

Students Run Philly Style TD Bank Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Tierney Communications Towers Perrin Turner Construction Company United

Bank of Philadelphia Universal Health Services University of Pennsylvania UPS Wachovia Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC Walmart Stores William Penn Foundation

WorkReady Internship Investors Sponsors of youth internships in non-profit organizations or small businesses. Those listed in bold are sponsoring 10 or more interns.

Bank of America Barra Foundation Campbell Soup Foundation Cephalon The Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania Citizens Bank Comcast Crown

Holdings, Inc. Day & Zimmerman, Inc. Deloitte Drexel University Foundations, Inc. Fox and Roach Charities Hahnemann University Hospital

Houghton-Carpenter Foundation Independence Foundation Law Offices of David T. Shulick, Esq. Lincoln Financial Group Foundation Patricia Kind

Family Foundation Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau The Philadelphia Eagles Rohm and Haas

Seybert Institution Thomas Jefferson University Hospital United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania Virtua Wachovia Foundation William Penn

Foundation WPVI-TV- 6abc Young Friends of PYN/Young Professionals Network

WorkReady Internship Contributors Organizations or individuals that provide partial sponsorship for single internships.

Beneficial Bank Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Corporate Contributions Joseph Frick Parkway Corporation Paul DiLorenzo Zateeny Loftus, LLP

WorkReady Seal-of-Approval Internship Employers Businesses that host their own internship programs that meet WorkReady's criteria for excellence. Those listed in bold are hosting 10 or more interns.

Aramark Ballard Spahr Bank of America Elliot Lewis GlaxoSmithKline Lockheed Martin IS & GS Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation

SEPTA St. Christopher's Hospital for Children The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company The Wistar Institute

20 2009 WorkReady Providers Community-based and citywide youth-serving organizations that operate WorkReady programs Allegheny West Foundation LULAC National Educational Services Centers, Inc. Arbor E & T Management & Environmental Technologies, Inc. ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania Multicultural Youth eXchange The Attic Youth Center Netter Center for Community Partnerships Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia New Foundations Charter School Camden County Council on Economic Opportunity, Inc. New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences Caring People Alliance Norris Square Civic Association City of Philadelphia Department of Recreation North Light Community Center Communities In Schools of Philadelphia, Inc. One Bright Ray - Fairhill Accelerated Learning Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America, Inc. Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc. People for People, Inc. District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund Philadelphia Mural Arts Program Diversified Community Services Resources for Human Development, Inc. EducationWorks Respond, Inc. Federation of Neighborhood Centers Salvation Army Learning Zone Foundations, Inc. The Student Conservation Association Free Library of Philadelphia Temple University UCCP Girard College Development Fund To Our Children's Future with Health Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition United Communities Southeast Philadelphia Indochinese American Council University of Pennsylvania Intercultural Family Services, Inc. Variety-The Children's Charity of Greater Philadelphia Information Technology and Society Research Group Women's Christian Alliance at Temple University YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School

© 2009 Philadelphia Youth Network