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Spurwink Services has received an $80,000 grant through the Central Maine Workforce Investment Board for the support of a Youth Summer Employment Program. The grant, which was made possible through federal stimulus funds, will support a structured Youth Summer Employment Program at Spurwink’s Residential Treatment and Educational Program in Chelsea, Maine. The employment program will target youth ages 14 – 20, offering skill building activities, training and practical work experiences.
“We believe this program will be invaluable for those teens who are at high risk of dropping out of school,” said Martin Donlon, LCSW, Director of Chelsea Program. “The majority of the kids who will benefit from the program have traumatic family histories, many are in the custody of DHHS Child Welfare Services and several are in foster care. The primary goals of the program are to increase work readiness and occupational skills, promote teamwork and social skills, develop problem solving and critical thinking skills and improve self-esteem.”
Spurwink’s Chelsea site serves approximately 60 children and teens who face a wide range of developmental and/or behavioral challenges.
The Youth Summer Employment Program will run from June through August, beginning with orientation and training sessions and progressing into hands-on work experiences that will run for seven weeks. “Our students will be matched with appropriate in-house and off-site work experiences based on their ages, skill levels, current functioning, cognitive abilities, emotional/mental health and interests,” Donlon explained.
Off-site projects will include the renovation/ repair of a barn on Spurwink’s property in Chelsea. The barn is slated to eventually become a site for organic food production and woodworking, and provide a community access point for Chelsea students to create and operate an organic farm stand at the site. Other projects include outdoor and landscaping work at the Togus Veteran’s Administration in Augusta and grounds work and maintenance at the Bread of Life Shelter in Augusta.
The impact of this program is significant in a state where few resources have been allocated to help adolescents who face mental and behavioral health challenges transition to adulthood.
“This program will go a long way in helping our kids gain valuable skills and experience,” Donlon stated. “Upon completion, students who have attained a high level of work readiness will be encouraged to begin seeking and preparing for employment in the community. We will refer these students to the Augusta Career Center and collaborate with the Career Center to facilitate a transition into the working world.”
Contact:
Spurwink Services
899 Riverside Street
Portland, Maine 04103
207-871-1200
1-888-889-3903
info@spurwink.org
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