Seven teenagers from at-risk neighborhoods on Oct. 3 became the most recent graduates of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia’s Youth Skills Building Program, which taught them trades and professional skills, according to an Oct. 21 Catholic Philly report.
“Dedication, perseverance, just wanting to do it. If you want to do anything, you put your mind to it. You can do it,” said Morris, a 17-year-old who is part of that group and now helps teach new students, according to an August Catholic Philly report.
The 26-week program, which launched last year, is held weekdays at the former St. Gabriel Parish Elementary School in Grays Ferry, according to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Over the course of the program, the high school students learn carpentry, masonry, electrical work, and home repair from Ken Whalen, a home improvement contractor with over three decades of experience. Graduates receive a certificate and a personal tool kit.
They put those skills to use with projects that support the community. For example, according to the August Catholic Philly report, one group of students repaired a door at St. Gabriel School.
The students who graduated this month designed and constructed a multi-purpose room at St. Gabriel School as their final project. They hope the room, which features a Philadelphia Phillies theme, will serve as a relaxing space for future program participants, according to the October Catholic Philly report.
The program also helps participants to develop other job skills, including networking, resume-building, money management, and even how to create a limited liability corporation for future businesses, according to the August Catholic Philly report.
“I help get them job ready, interview prep, building resumes, working on problem solving, self-awareness, even having some of those customer service skills, because if they pursue this in the field, they are going to be dealing with customers and clients,” Dominique Acevedo, one of the program’s teachers, said according to the August Catholic Philly report. “We want them to be ready to have those skills.”
Graduates have expressed gratitude for the program and excitement to put their new skills to good use.
“I’m just ready to get into the field,” said one student, Chase, before graduating, according to the August Catholic Philly Report. “I’m ready to start my career, ready to get going.”
>> Catholic trade school begins expansion after overcoming ACLU challenge to $5M grant <<
The post Catholic Charities of Philadelphia celebrates third cohort of trade program graduates appeared first on CatholicVote org.