Siskiyou County Community Coordinator Report

The STEP Older Youth Program provides services to out-of-school/older youth using a model that incorporates work readiness as a goal and allows young adults to earn needed income, acquire work experience and position themselves to receive additional and more advanced training.  The emphasis upon work-based learning also serves to reconnect young people with education.

A pilot project has been developed by STEP and the California Conservation Corps in order to serve a maximum number of older youth in Siskiyou County through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Program.  Through their partnership with the California Conservation Corps, STEP provides Career Exploration and Career development, basic skills development, workplace readiness, and functional skills development to all Corpsmembers. STEP also provides information leading to enrollment in post-secondary education, advanced training, supervised job search and/or job placement assistance.  Services will continue to be provided for at least 12 months following the individual's exit from the STEP program.

Program goals, which include assessment, career development, workplace readiness, basic skills and life skills, leadership development and comprehensive guidance and counseling are presented through a comprehensive, 40 hour, Career Evaluation Workshop.  The California Conservation Corps program provides young people with the opportunity to attain occupational skills through classroom training and work experience in construction and resource management, completion of their GED or high school diploma, and leadership training.
   

Employees and Board Members of Siskiyou Training and Employment Program, Inc. (STEP), gathered at Serge’s French Cuisine Restaurant in Mt. Shasta on March 28 for their annual Employee Recognition Luncheon.

Executive Director, Kathy Suvia, commented that one of the highlights of the annual event is the announcement of the employee of the year.  This year’s winner was Jeanne Hough, financial services manager of the organization.  Hough has been with STEP since 1986 and was nominated by several of her peers.

Mike Lyon, president of the STEP Board of Directors announced the winner and presented the perpetual plaque commemorating this special award.  In his remarks, Lyon said that Hough “...is the glue that holds the organization together.”

Several employees received pins in honor of their employment with STEP during 2000.  Pins were presented to Janie Gaither, Paul Shelton and Wanda Lopez.  Ten-year awards were presented to Josephine Wyatt, Paula Young & Reich, and Reneé Barr.  Board member Donna Ladewig was awarded a plaque in recognition of ten-years service on the Board of Directors.
   

Jodie Campo is the winner of the March "Got A Job" basket from the Workforce Connection.  She recently went to work at Stidham Trucking in Yreka as a dispatcher, after relocating to Siskiyou County from Nevada.  Jodie's name was drawn from the many successful job seekers who got a job within the past month after using one or more of the services available at the Workforce Connection.  While visiting the Yreka Workforce Connection Community Employment Center Jodie was able to learn about the local labor market, prepare a quality résumé and sign up with a statewide "job" data base, CalJOBS.  Jodie (left) is shown receiving her prize basket from Sharon Hall, Workforce Connection staff member.
 
 

We'll be featuring a new look in June with our Business Connection newsletter/community report.  It will include tips to help business, information about how our services are helping the business community, local labor market information and highlights of our services/business success stories.