State honors Carolina Youth Development Center for Job Readiness Partnership
November 15, 2017
The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SC DJJ) has recognized North Charleston nonprofit Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) as the best “up and coming” Job Readiness Training partner site.
A certificate and trophy were presented to CYDC at an October 26 awards banquet in Columbia.
Photo: Pictured left to right posing with the SC DJJ certificate are CARE Manager Domoniquie Conyers and Education and Enrichment Coordinator Daydra Cobin, who leads the JRT program at CYDC.
JRT, an employability program designed for underserved high school students ages 14-18, is sponsored by the SC DJJ.
Offered in the spring, summer and fall, JRT features a classroom training component and a partner work site piece where participants complete a paid internship. Internship stipends are provided through a SC DJJ grant.
CYDC’s Education and Enrichment Coordinator leads the training class and visits interns on site to check in with the employer and help ensure a positive experience.
JRT allows youth to acquire their first job experience and learn valuable workplace skills such as how to communicate in a professional setting, time management, problem-solving, teamwork and customer service. Additionally, the classroom component provides the opportunity to create a resume and learn job interviewing skills and the basics of financial management.
CYDC launched as a JRT Partnership site in fall 2016.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer this important partnership program to young people in our community,” said Chief Executive Officer Beverly Hardin.
“These internships help prepare youth for entry-level employment and equip them with real-world workplace experience and the necessary skills that will benefit them in attaining future jobs.”
To learn more about the JRT program, and how you can become involved as an employer partner site, visit cydc.org or email Daydra Cobin at [email protected].
About Carolina Youth Development Center
The Carolina Youth Development Center has a 227-year legacy of leading the way in serving the community’s most vulnerable families and children of abuse, neglect and abandonment.
Founded in 1790 as the nation’s first public childcare institution, CYDC boasts a statewide reach, a vibrant community network of resources and expansive campuses where our children can play and grow. Our state of the art assets include our Bakker Career Center, Auto Lab, Music Studio and commercial kitchen and garden. CYDC robust umbrella of services are designed to disrupt patterns, change lives and transform communities. CYDC’s continuum of care also includes the local affiliate of the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs and the Callen-Lacey Center for Children’s shelter in Berkeley County. CYDC achieved national accreditation in August 2017, and has been continuously accredited since 1980. Visit cydc.org for more information.
