Monthly Archives January 2011

KRA/YES Student Supports BFF

January 31, 2011 | No Comments

A Youth Employability & Success (YES) Program participant, whom we will call “Didi”, was a featured speaker…and dancer…at her recent BFF high school assembly. BFF…is she someone’s “Best Friend Forever?” Undoubtedly, and in this situation, she is a true friend to many as an active member of Be Fight Free, a collaborative campaign of the Community Action Coalition of Suffolk (CACS), the Suffolk School Board, and the Suffolk Public Schools. This BFF’s message is aimed at reducing youth violence by raising awareness and participation in youth programs, such as YES, and educating students and their parents and school staff on effective ways to prevent and/or reduce youth violence. Student leaders, including Didi, were driven to
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KRA Rolls Out New Offices in South Carolina

January 18, 2011 | No Comments

On January 3, 2011, newly hired KRA workforce operations staff gathered for intensive in-service orientation, training, and team-building sessions led by senior KRA Program Management Team members. KRA now operates multiple workforce development programs covering the three counties in the Waccamaw Region. KRA provides intensive career development and guidance services for adults and dislocated workers, and KRA’s Youth Employability and Success program has already enrolled more than 100 young people for comprehensive, year-round In-School and Out-of-School workplace-readiness services.
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KRA Program Prepares Students for Job Interviews

January 18, 2011 | No Comments

On December 20, 2010, staff from KRA’s Youth Employability and Success (YES) program conducted mock interviews with 17 students from the Norcom High School program site. The YES Program Manager and the site’s Career Agent conducted the simulated interviews in conjunction with YES’ monthly Dress for Success event, another component of KRA’s job-readiness program. Prior to the training, staff gave the students a list of four entry-level jobs advertised by local companies in the banking, fast-food, healthcare, and retail industries…and asked them to choose one for which to be interviewed. Some students, with interview experience, were more practiced at “doing their homework”, and easily fielded questions
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KRA Staff Volunteer to Assist the Homeless

January 18, 2011 | No Comments

On January 12, 2011, Employment Specialists from KRA’s Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare program were among approximately 500 volunteers for Norfolk’s “Project Homeless Connect” held at the Norfolk Scope Exhibition Hall. Staff assisted with serving hot meals to more than 550 homeless men and women, as well as escorting attendees to the proper locations within the Hall for free medical and eye exams; help in obtaining ID cards, legal assistance, and food stamps; and information on other services including clothing, health and hygiene, and housing. Norfolk’s Office to End Homelessness, sponsor of the semi-annual event, is committed to developing workable implementation strategies that will end homelessness
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KRA/YSP Staff and Students Pay It Forward

January 12, 2011 | No Comments

South Central Kentucky, where KRA operates the Youth Services Program (YSP) covering a seven-county area, is an extremely economically disadvantaged region. The economic downturn has resulted in even higher-than-usual unemployment, producing a crisis situation in the area. During December 2010, KRA/YSP staff and students focused their volunteer efforts on local projects in much need of community involvement and support. A Brighter Christmas: Thanks to KRA Program Manager, Linda Cooper, and Career Counselors Danelle Coomer, Donna Grant, Barb Hettmansperger, and Kristy Tarter, seven YSP students and their families enjoyed a brighter Christmas than they had anticipated. Aware that these families were unable
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MSDE Highlights KRA Report

January 7, 2011 | No Comments

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) recently released a KRA report on risky behaviors among Maryland high school age youth. The report is the latest produced by KRA under a contract with MSDE to administer the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The YRBS was developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor health behaviors that can lead to death, disability, and social problems among youth. Maryland first administered the survey, with KRA support, in 2005, and then again in 2007, and 2009. The 2009 YRBS included a national school-based survey conducted by CDC,
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