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| Jody Swain and Trey Loyd started their Jurors Empowering Teens rotation at the library in Bienville Parish. They became familiar with daily operations at the circulation desk, checking books in and out, shelving and cleaning DVDs. (Photo by Mary Ann Van Osdell) (Click on photo to downloard larger image.) |
News Release Distributed 08/01/08
Fourteen Bienville Parish 4-H’ers learned about the world of work in professional jobs this summer in a new program that’s a joint venture between the LSU AgCenter and the Bienville Parish Police Jury.
Called Jurors Empowering Teens, or JET, the six-week program was an experiment to see if investing in young people would pay off. And because both partners agreed it did, they will expand the program to include more teens next summer, according to Diane Uzzle, LSU AgCenter 4-H agent, who was in charge.
“The program wouldn’t have happened without the support of the police jury,” Uzzle said. “They budgeted $26,500 for JET to pay each participant minimum wage.”
One JET member, Darrell Johnson, said he was glad to be in the program because he was “not sitting at the house wasting time.” He worked in the clerk of court’s office.
“I found a lot of people with bad things on their record. I don’t want to end upstairs in jail,” Johnson said.
Some teens worked at the library. Anna Lathan, branch manager, said their duties included helping at the circulation desk, checking books in and out, shelving and cleaning DVDs.
“They were an asset to us. It freed me to work on reports. We’ve enjoyed them; it gives them good job experience. They know how to deal with the public,” Lathan said.
Another JET member, Jeffrey McNear, who is headed to Northwestern State University to study electrical engineering in the fall, worked at the extension office “cleaning out files that are older than me,” he said.
Without the program McNear said he would have spent his summer playing too many video games.
“I did skills assessment of the group and tried to pair the young person with an employer who would help in their career choice,” Uzzle said.
One teen who wants to be a teacher went to work at the school board office. And another member of the group who wants to be a nurse went to work at the local clinic.
“The administrators told me this was exactly the kind of employees they’re looking for,” Uzzle said.
4-H membership was a requirement for selection into JET. To help manage the program, Uzzle hired a former Bienville Parish 4-H’er – Joel Gray, a student at Louisiana Tech – as a summer intern. So 15 young people benefited from JET, which is running from June 30 through Aug. 8.
The program not only provided employment experience, but also focused on the development of financial management skills and workforce ethics. During two weeks of the program, Uzzle had the young people in class learning about workforce preparation and character education. The two field trips were to LSU-Shreveport and the Louisiana Technical College in Shreveport.
She brought in guest speakers, including state representative Jim Fannin.
“He’s a big supporter of 4-H and is on our advisory committee,” Uzzle said. “He spoke about keeping your word and commitments and how leaders are team players.”
“This program is an example of how the LSU AgCenter is working with its partners in communities across the state to increase workforce literacy,” said Juanita Johnson, professor with the LSU AgCenter's Department of 4-H Youth Development.
“Through the hands-on work experiences and other innovative strategies of the JET program, youth are gaining a basic understanding of what employers require of employees and their experiences helps them to develop sound workplace habits that will serve to ensure successful on-the-job practices in the future,” she said.
This, said Johnson, is creating a successful model of learning that can be replicated statewide.
Police jury member Patrick Jefferson, a product of 4-H and now an attorney, supported the idea not only as a juror, but as a role model and adult.
“It is incumbent upon us to provide children some viable options so they won’t have time to think about getting into trouble. I knew 4-H was about leadership, and this group models good behavior throughout the year, not just summertime,” he said.
He said many people think the police jury is about roads and solid waste but explained that his job is to enhance the quality of life in Bienville Parish, from youth to senior citizens. “Without our youth, we don’t have a future,” Jefferson said.
D.J. Slack, a senior at Castor High School, addressed the jury on behalf of the group and said he learned how to act in a job interview and will be prepared when he has future interviews.
“I say ‘when’ because we are motivated, ambitious and passionate. I have found true ambition and self-confidence. Thank you for allowing me and my 13 co-workers to empower ourselves,” Slack said.
“Bienville Parish police jurors were forward thinking enough to realize the impact this program could have on the youth of the parish,” said Allen Nipper, LSU AgCenter North Central regional director.
“The Bienville Parish Police Jury is to be commended for its proactive response to work force development, support of the local youth and for pioneering a program that can have potential around the state,” Nipper said.
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Contacts: Diane Uzzle (318) 263-7400, or duzzle@agcenter.lsu.edu
Juanita Johnson (225) 578-2196, or jjohnson@agcenter.lsu.edu
Allen Nipper (318) 644-5980, or wnipper@agcenter.lsu.edu
Writer: Mary Ann Van Osdell (318) 741-7430, ext. 1104, or mvanosdell@agcenter.lsu.edu