JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) - A group of young people in Johnstown are spending their summer helping others through hands-on projects, while they improve their skills for the workforce.
This Summer, they've joined forces with another program to make sure children in our area get a good night's sleep.
Summer is here, a time to have fun and relax but a team of young adults in Johnstown are staying busy. They’re building their skills in a workforce development program calledJohnstown Youth Corps.
“Hold the nozzle about that far from the bed and about that fast,” Y.E.S. Program Director Jim Buday said to the group of youth as the prepped their work for the day.
This is one of their many projects. They are creating beds for children who don't have one.
“It makes me feel happy because it makes me know that we're doing it to help people,” said Marissa Kelly, a Greater Johnstown High School student who is participating in the JYC program.
JYC partnered up with the Alternative Community Resource Program's (ACRP) Youth Employment Services (Y.E.S.) to work on projects like this. ACRP started the bed project a few years ago after they learned about a local girl's sleeping arrangements.
"They found out that someone was actually sleeping on a pile of clothes as a bed, they didn't want them to do that so they took it upon themselves to start building beds. The community found out, a lot of people donated, there's also been a lot of requests. We've come together to really help with them that," said Josh Beck, Johnstown Youth Corps coordinator.
While making sure others have a place to rest their head at night, these teens are improving their woodwork and painting skills.
“I learned how to like cut the wood, we sanded wood,” Kelly said.
81 beds have been requested for kids in the area. ACRP delivers them with a mattress, pillow, sheets, and blanket.
“It’s just really special when you see someone that has the skills to teach these kids construction skills and everything. And they follow through with it but to see youth actually build these beds. It was really inspiring," Beck said.
JYC is a paid work experience for 16 to 24-year-olds. It gives them the right tools to get ready for a well-constructed future through education and training.
“They are really well esteemed when this is done. It's just great to get these kids out there, learning the workforce at an early age, learning that things that's going to be beneficial for their future careers,” Beck said.
The group also created protective screens for outpatient centers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and they work on beautification projects in the city.
“It’s been really fun, we've been helping the community out... cleaning,” Kelly said.
They can get a good night's sleep knowing they used their minds and their hands to change the lives of others, while changing their own lives too.
“We all have our own different skills and people come together and utilize that. And that's why I think it's special when you can utilize your talent for the greater good,” Beck said.
They have made 30 beds and by Friday 26 have been delivered.
ACRP said they have received many more requests for beds this year and donations help them continue to build more. They will keep making them as long as they have the funds.
They have a go-fund-me page set up if you'd like to support the project.
The funders and sponsors of the Johnstown Youth Corps consist of the Community Foundation, Pennsylvania CareerLink of Southern Alleghenies, Goodwill of Southern Alleghenies, Cambria Regional Chamber, the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Board, and this year ACRP.
Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies, Pennsylvania CareerLink Cambria County, and Vision 2025 partnered to create the summer workforce development and community project program named the Johnstown Youth Corps (JYC). The JYC is designed to provide youth who are ages 16–24 with paid work experience through the completion of a variety of pre-planned planned projects. The 9-week program will employ 10 youth for 30 hours per week from June through August.
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