The Jobs 4 Nevada's Graduates program is designed to train teenagers how to get a job, but the program has had to make adjustments during the pandemic to help students.
Restrictions from the pandemic have hit the job market hard, and that includes high school students looking for work. The Jobs 4 Nevada's Graduates program is designed to train teenagers how to get a job, but the program has had to make adjustments during the pandemic to help students.
Jobs 4 Nevada Graduates is part of the National Jobs for America's Graduates program which offers job search training for kids 14 to 19. The program starts in some schools in 8th grade, and ends up to 2 years after high school graduation. The curriculum includes practicing for interviews and resume building. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic has altered how the program is helping students. "I use email, text, phone calls, and everything I can possible use to keep in touch with these people," said Jobs 4 Nevada's Graduates instructor Terry Boyden.
Besides the transition to teleconferencing mock interviews, tough times have made the J4NG program and its instructors take on new responsibilities. "We do wellness checks on the students and their families. and we must touch base with them every week," said Boyden.
"A family who actually lived outside Pahrump didn't have reliable transportation to go to the grocery store, or the money for groceries. So one of our specialists drove the hour and a half to Pahrump and picked up groceries at the Walmart," said Jobs 4 Nevada's Graduates Executive Director Rene Cantu.
The program has also paid for bus passes so financially struggling J4NG students can get to work, paid rent and utilities, and given away computers so students can build resumes and cover letters. The program has even paid for internet so students can search for work.
"I think that everyone's learning that there are resources for us, the teachers are here for us, and that even through a pandemic, we are going to have a future," said J4NG student Zoey Chandler.
Communication between J4NG students and their teachers, like Terry Boyden also provides emotional support during these troubling times. "i want you to be everything that you can possibly be and accomplish every goal that you set for yourselves," said Boyden.
Private businesses have stepped up to donate computers and funds to help the program deal with the adjustments.
