PROGRAM TEACHES TEEN-AGER JOB READINESS

Life is about gaining respect, and Drew Jackson, 16, has it.

He gets it from former and current friends who notice he doesn't "hang out" as much as he once did. He also gets it from his Division of Youth Services case manager and law enforcement officials who notice a new maturity that wasn't there six months ago.

And then there are his co-workers.

"He's our co-worker, and that's how we treat him," said Marsha Johnston, who has known Jackson since he began working at the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau six months ago. "We didn't ask why he was coming, so we got to know him as a person, and he's the person we support."

Jackson was recognized by the Missouri Mentoring Partnership Monday for his outstanding educational and social development as well as "exemplary performance on the job." Johnston, who acts as his job site mentor, was also recognized by the program as the Cape Girardeau County outstanding mentor of the year.

The Missouri Mentoring Partnership is a state program that builds job readiness skills in people 16 to 22. The program is active locally in Scott and Cape Girardeau counties and is funded by the Department of Social Services.

Most youths are referred to the program through the departments of family or youth services. Other referrals come from area alternative schools and juvenile officers. Approximately 60 youths and 50 businesses are enrolled in the program, which has been operating locally for three years.

Jackson, who works part-time at the CVB after school each day, said the job readiness program has changed his life. He said he has a new attitude and new friends and habits, and the program works because "you can make legal money instead of easy money."

Coordinator Marge Nichols Sullivan said the Missouri Mentoring Partnership is effective because it develops skills necessary for finding and keeping a job. The program is a public-private partnership, which means employers pay youths to work, but job site mentors and additional supports are provided as needed to help youths keep the job.

"We deal with everything from personal problems to communication problems in the work place," she said. "Our goal is to facilitate their becoming self-sufficient, law-abiding adults."

Sullivan said because participants have access to few resources, program supervisors have had to become creative in developing solutions. For example, several students, including Jackson, received bicycles from the program to help them get to and from work. Communication is another challenge participants often have, because many of them don't have a telephone in their homes, she said.

"We try to set up a system where they have a message phone, and many have done that," said Sullivan. "Sometimes we also communicate by mail or even leave notes on their doors."

Sullivan said she and associate coordinator Scott Porter try to emphasize continued employment and developing a strong work ethic when working with a youth. Most importantly, continued education is emphasized to ensure the youths have skills they need to qualify for a job.

Several participants have received high school equivalency diplomas since entering the program. Others have pursued additional education at vocational or traditional colleges and universities.

Jackson isn't sure what he wants to do after high school, but he said he thinks a college education is in his future. He said he enjoys math and cleaning, and his job keeps him busy using those skills and developing new ones that may peak interest in a future career.

Johnston said she believes there is nothing Jackson won't be able to do because he has a positive attitude and always is willing to take on new tasks. People make mistakes every day, she said, but the Missouri Mentoring Partnership teaches them to "pick up and go on."

Said Johnston: "The best thing about Drew is that he's always tried; he never said no, and he always went right to it. He has a lot of special projects, but he also has certain job duties that he does every day.

"He's a good worker, and we're very proud of him."