Helping Youth Navigate Their Futures

Initiatives
2012-2013 Annual Review
Helping Youth Navigate
Their Futures
Steering Youth In The Right Direction
It’s no secret that many Americans have struggled with finding employment since the Great Recession.
Several reports show that the downturn was particularly hard on young people. According to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, in Virginia the unemployment rate for teens between the ages of 16 and 19 jumped to 26
percent in 2012 —higher than the national rate of 23.5 percent. The reason is simple: most employers are
more attracted to adults with more experience. That is where Opportunity Inc.’s Youth Initiatives came in.
Our Youth Initiatives focused on creating programs that helped young people gain the skills and education
needed to stay competitive during the twists and turns they will experience throughout their career journey.
As you turn the pages, you will read about the innovative 2012-2013 Workforce Investment Act
programs for in-school and out-of-school youth which featured paid internships, college tours, dualenrollment opportunities and much more. You’ll also learn about what Opportunity Inc.’s Youth Career
Center of Hampton Roads was up to as it zoomed through its third year of existence offering job preparation
and career exploration to young people ages 14 to 21. Our staff is proud of the progress made in 2012 as we
reached over 18,000 individuals through events such as the 2012 Workforce Investment Act Youth Summit
and the 2013 Teen Summer Opportunity Fair. We know that our work has just begun, and we look forward to
celebrating our meaningful journey with you.
Jeff Ainslie, President of Ainslie Group, Inc.
Chair, Opportunity Inc. Youth Council
In 2012-2013, the Opportunity Inc. Youth Council continued to work hard for the young people of
Hampton Roads by developing innovative STEM education, workplace readiness and career immersion
programs. The Council’s unique blending of traditional and forward-thinking curriculum is key to guiding our
youth to success as they take their places in the global economy. That is why our main goal is to energize
and empower the workforce at a young age in order to create a more dynamic workforce in the future.
This year, we expanded our partnerships with public school systems, higher education institutions, youthserving organizations and the business community. These partnerships allowed us to maximize our reach by
spending more on actual programming and less on administrative costs. The resulting opportunities for our
youth include dual-enrollment courses, entrepreneurship training, robotics competitions and trade
certifications.
One of our newest initiatives has been providing paid internships for in-school and out-of-school
students. Youth in these particular programs have been extremely successful in learning more about their
desired career fields and obtaining a positive outlook on future possibilities.
2012-2013 Annual Review page 1 of 16
Youth Programs by the Numbers
Funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Opportunity Inc. coordinated several career and
educational enhancement programs for over 500 area youth between the ages of 16 and 21.
These youth had barriers to completing high school, entering post-secondary education and
entering the workforce. The programs assisted young people, in or out-of-school, with both
academic and occupational learning, developing leadership skills and preparing for further
education and eventual employment. The following pages provide a snapshot of our programs.
State Performance Goals
51% must improve scores in reading & math
45% must graduate from school
45% must get a job or go to college
Our Results
152%*
126%*
107%*
* Percent of State goal achieved by Opportunity Inc.
Total Number of Youth Served in
Year-Round Programs for 2012-2013
Total Investment in Year-Round
2012-2013 Youth Programs
2012-2013 Annual Review page 2 of 16
In-School Youth Program: Ages 16-18
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Program
Locality Served: Virginia Beach /Operated by
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Students participated in STEM after-school
programs and dual-enrollment opportunities that
enhanced their knowledge of STEM-fields. During
an after-school Robotics Club, the high school
juniors and seniors constructed a Level 1 robot via
online training modules with a mentor. The students
competed in the annual STEM Robotics Club
Competition at the Virginia Beach Convention
Center. Participants also had the opportunity to
complete a 3-credit STEM 101 course broadcasted
to their high schools through Norfolk State
University. Lastly, the students participated in a
STEM seminar with Junior Achievement to network
with local and global STEM leaders.
In-School Youth Program: Ages 16-18
Project Gear Up!
Locality Served: Portsmouth/ Operated by
the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc.
This program focused on preparing young people for
life after high school including college and career
preparation. Held at I.C. Norcom High School in
Portsmouth, students participated in career immersion
activities including vocational assessments, paid
internships, presentations by guest speakers in various
professions and field trips to local businesses. Students
received assistance with the college planning process
by exploring post-secondary options and researching
financial aid opportunities. In addition to career and
college exploration, Project Gear Up! partnered with
Junior Achievement to provide financial literacy
education to the program participants.
2012-2013 Annual Review page 3 of 16
In-School Youth Program: Ages 16-18
Pathways to Success
Locality Served: Southampton County/ Operated by
Southampton County Public Schools
The Pathways to Success program focused on drop-out
prevention, alternative secondary school services, summer
employment, adult mentoring, drug and alcohol abuse
prevention and subsidized work experience. Students
obtained SOL tutoring, work readiness training and
participated in STEM-related field trips to local employers
and higher education institutions. During Virginia Career
Week, the students learned how to start their own
businesses through the guidance of industry professionals.
In-School Youth Program: Ages 16-18
The Pruden Center’s Youth Program Services
Localities Served: Isle of Wight County and Suffolk/
Operated by The Pruden Center for Industry and
Technology
Juniors and seniors of the Pruden Center developed
their academic and workplace readiness skills through
involvement in paid internships related directly to their
specific career and technical programs. Internship
placement sites included the City of Suffolk Mosquito
Control and the Center of Veterinarian Excellence. In
addition to guest speakers, students also attended
field trips including a fun visit to the Elizabeth River
Project’s Learning Barge to learn about sustainability
and environmentally friendly design.
2012-2013 Annual Review page 4 of 16
In-School Youth Program: Ages 16-18
Science & Technology Education Preparation (STEP) Program
Locality Served: Norfolk/ Operated by Norfolk
State University (NSU)
The NSU STEP Program provided junior and senior
students with opportunities to broaden, enhance
and develop an increased interest in the
science, engineering and technology fields.
During NSU STEM Day, the students were
exposed to the latest research advances in fields
such as nano-technology, building construction
and rocket science. They also participated in
academic mentorship opportunities while
conducting simulated research with faculty. In
addition, students visited post-secondary
institutions such as James Madison University and
Elizabeth City State University.
In-School Youth Program: Ages 16-18
Project Launch
Locality Served: Portsmouth/Operated by Old Dominion University
(ODU)-Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC)
Located at ODU VMASC, this program allowed Portsmouth High
School juniors and seniors to learn about careers that will be indemand for years to come. They attended a presentation about
computer science with ODU’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Team and
took several field trips to places such as the APM Terminals, Lockheed
Martin Center for Innovation and the Hampton Roads Sanitation
Department. In addition, the participants in this program also
completed financial literacy, job preparation and career exploration
activities.
2012-2013 Annual Review page 5 of 16
In-School Youth Program: Ages 16-18
The Spartan Prep Academy
Locality Served: Virginia Beach/Operated by
Norfolk State University (NSU)
Located at the Virginia Beach Higher Education
Center, The Spartan Prep Academy taught
students in Virginia Beach Public Schools how to
prepare and succeed in college. They attended
training sessions in time management, gang
awareness, college applications and career
options. Students were able to create career
portfolios, receive SAT preparation assistance and
peer mentoring. The highlight was participating in
community service and field trips in the areas of
cultural awareness, college visits and career fairs.
In-School Youth Program: Ages 16-18
Emerging Scholars Program
Localities Served: Isle of Wight County, Franklin,
Southampton County, and Suffolk/ Operated by
Paul D. Camp Community College (PDCCC)
Located at PDCCC, this program gave qualifying
students the opportunity to advance their college
education by earning dual enrollment credits and
learning leadership skills for the workplace. The
students participated in monthly career readiness
seminars including a trip to the Youth Career
Center of Hampton Roads. Participants also had
the opportunity to attend college tours, host a
“Dress For Success Fashion Show,” and attend a
STEM-based summer camp.
2012-2013 Annual Review page 6 of 16
Out-of-School Youth Program: Ages 18-21
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Youth Academy
Localities Served: Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth,
Virginia Beach/ Operated by Tidewater Community
College
The CNA Youth Academy was a three-month training
program that prepared young professionals for a
career in the healthcare field. The program featured
job specific curriculum developed with the assistance
of industry leaders and employers, workplace
readiness training, classroom training that simulated a
work environment, internships, and a twelve-month
post employment follow-up with the employers and
graduates on the job site.
Out-of-School Youth Program: Ages 18-21
Building Trades Academy, Inc.’s
Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training
Localities Served: South Hampton Roads of
Virginia/Operated by the Building Trades
Academy, Inc.
This training academy located in Chesapeake
for aspiring building maintenance professionals
was a 10 to 12 week long program for men and
women between the ages of 18 and 21 residing
in South Hampton Roads. Training took place in
the classroom as well as the worksite where
participants received hands-on experience
working on a project that benefited the
community. Pre-employability training,
counseling, job placement and follow-up
services were also provided.
2012-2013 Annual Review page 7 of 16
Out-of-School Youth Program: Ages 18-21
Spartan Crusade for Academic Success (SCAS)
Localities Served: Norfolk and
Portsmouth/Operated by NSU
The NSU Bridge Program was established to
broaden the participation of at-risk youth in the
pursuit of post-secondary education. This program
is comprised of three components: a rigorous
academic improvement component, a series of
student success seminars, and an on-campus work
experience model. The academic component
offers weekly enrichment coursework designed to
improve the student performance level and
increase students’ likelihood of admission to
college. In addition to this, tutoring, cultural, and
pre-college enrichment exposure will be provided.
Out-of-School Youth Program: Ages 18-21
Paul D. Camp Community College (PDCCC) Bridge Program
Localities Served: Franklin, Isle of Wight County,
Southampton County, and Suffolk/Operated by
PDCCC
The PDCCC Bridge Program introduces participants
to post-secondary opportunities and enhances
their vocational experiences through on-campus
employment. This program is centered on meeting
participants where they are academically, socially
and vocationally, and will provide the remediation
and guidance necessary to prepare them for postsecondary education or employment. The goal of
this program is to provide learning opportunities
that will create an environment for participants to
gain life skills, self-confidence, and critical thinking
skills that positions them to be successful in their
pursuit of post-secondary education.
2012-2013 Annual Review page 8 of 16
Youth Career Center
The Youth Career Center of Hampton Roads (YCCHR),
under the general guidance of the Opportunity Inc.
Youth Council, provided career exploration, job
preparation and financial literacy education to youth
between the ages of 14 and 21 living in the localities of
Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of Wight, Norfolk,
Portsmouth, Southampton, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
Our services were provided through onsite group tours,
scheduled workshops, programs and to individuals on
a walk-in basis. This past year, the Center hosted a
number of events such as Smart About Credit Month,
where youth learned how to check their credit reports,
and the week long Careers in the Visual Arts program,
where youth learned about the various careers in the
arts before creating masterpieces of their own. The
2013 summer season kicked off with our middle school
program, Go Mad About Science. Additionally, the
YCCHR hosted recruitment events, such as our 2013
Teen Summer Opportunity Fair that attracted over
1,000 attendees. Currently, the YCCHR has locations in
Virginia Beach and a recently opened satellite office
in Franklin at Paul D. Camp Community College
bringing more intensive services to the surrounding
rural communities.
2012-2013 Annual Review page 9 of 16
Since opening in September 2010, the Youth Career Center of Hampton Roads has made more than 40,000
connections in the community. Each day we link with youth, parents and community partners seeking more
information on our services during business hours. Youth walk through our doors for one-on-one assistance
from creating resumes to researching scholarships for college. Yet, we don’t stop there. We navigate
towards our young people in classrooms, school career fairs and community youth events.
2012-2013 Annual Review
page 10 of 16
It is essential for community leaders and professionals to give back to our youth in the form
of knowledge and encouragement. Many would be surprised at what they can
accomplish by just spending a little time with our young people as a mentor or role model.
– Kevin Will, President, Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads & Youth Council
Member
Local professionals volunteered
over 2,500 hours to help our youth
discover career opportunities and
develop workplace readiness skills.
Whether it was teaching them how
to build robots or playing an
interactive game of Life, our
mentors helped guide our youth
during the over 96 career
immersion and job preparation
programs we offered.
Total individuals our Mentors helped us reach in
2012-2013
2012-2013 Annual Review page 11 of 16
The Youth Career Center hosted exclusive hiring events throughout the year on behalf of several
local employers. At the request of the employer, our staff provided a prescreening process that
included application completion, mock interviewing, and resume development. Employers such
as Gold Key PHR, Wells Fargo, Farm Fresh, Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation, Ocean Breeze
Waterpark, Krispy Kreme, AAA Pools and Kroger have all participated in our recruiting events!
“The young people in the program stand out from the general public during job fairs and interviews. They
are polished. They come dressed for success with resumes in hand and are willing to talk about the
experiences they are looking for. Without a doubt, I will continue to refer other companies to the YCCHR’s
staff to learn more about their recruitment events and assistance with filling vacancies.” -Dena Kimball,
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Specialist I
2012-2013 Annual Review page 12 of 16
their way
With so many communication tools available today, we want to make sure that anyone can gain ondemand information about the YCCHR and its services. One of our newest access avenues is our improved
website which features the “Virtual Youth Career Center.” Using this tool, youth can locate self-guided job
preparation, career exploration and financial literacy activities. It also features work-readiness videos, career
assessments and a listserv where individuals can sign up to receive information on future workshops and
events. In addition, our community and school partners can get instant information on becoming a financial
supporter, volunteering, request outreach from the Center and host hiring events. There is also a section that
shares the many successes of our youth.
Further, youth can connect with us via our social media pages. We use these sites to follow-up with youth still
searching for employment, career, and post-secondary opportunities. To check out our new site, please visit
www.myyouthcareercenter.org.
2012-2013 Annual Review page 13 of 16
The Youth Career Center of Hampton Roads would like to thank our financial supporters
Wells Fargo, ECPI University, Tidewater Community College, Bank of America, Suntrust and
TowneBank for their generous funding. Thanks to their support, we’ve been able to provide
job preparation, career exploration and financial literacy services to more than 18,000
people this year. We value our partnerships and thank our sponsors for all that they do for
our youth. If you want to join these organizations by leaving your mark, please visit our
website or contact us for more information!
Thank you for your contributions and all you do to help
navigate our youth in the right direction.
2012-2013 Annual Review page 14 of 16
Jeffrey Ainslie, President of Finance, Operations and Sales, The Ainslie Group
John Andrews, Special Assistant to City Manager, Department of Development, City of Norfolk
Elsie Barnes, Professor of Political Science, Norfolk State University
John E. Barrett III, CEO, Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center
William Bell, Vice President, Human Resources & Administration, Newport News Shipbuilding
Marlene Bialecki, Director of Operations, Specialty Coffee Beverage Unit, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Theresa Bryant, Vice President, Workforce Development, TCC Regional Workforce Development Center
Hosey Burgess, Norfolk/Portsmouth Manager/Office Director, Virginia Employment Commission
Thomas Calhoun, President, Norfolk Federation of Teachers
John A. Canfield, Principal, Caroga Resources LLC
Andy Chapman, Plant Manager, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies
Paul W. Conco, President, Paul D. Camp Community College
James P. Councill, III, Owner, Councill Financial Concepts
William W. Crow, President, Virginia Ship Repair Association
Cindy Curtis, Deputy City Manager, City of Virginia Beach
Richard Dean, Director, Human Resources & Training, Smithfield Packing Company
Joseph M. Donnelly, President, Donnelly Real Properties LLC
Larry Dotolo, President, Virginia Tidewater Consortium for Higher Education
Mark Dreyfus, President, ECPI University
Sande Dukas, President, Controls Corp of America
David K. Edwards, President/COO, W R Systems, Ltd.
Stephen Fuschetti, President and CEO, Gannett Media Technologies International
Donald Goldberg, President, Goldberg Consulting LLC
Darryl W. Gosnell, President and CEO, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance
Ute Heidenreich, President, TowneBank 1031 Exchange, LLC
Kirk Houston, Sr., Sr. Pastor, Gethsemane Community Fellowship Baptist Church, Chairman, Norfolk School Board
Paul J. Hughes, Manager, South Hampton Roads Office, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Clarissa McAdoo, Executive Director, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Carol McCormack, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of South Hampton Roads
Delceno C. Miles, President, The Miles Agency
Mary D. McGovern, Senior Vice President, Divaris Real Estate Inc.
BarBara Murphy, Project Director, AARP Foundation Senior Community Service Employment Program
William L. Nusbaum, Partner, Williams Mullen Law Firm
Lisa T. Perry, Director, Economic Development, Isle of Wight County
Ron Ritter, Senior Vice President, On Point, LLC
Jacquelyn Scott, Director, Portsmouth Department of Social Services
David Stuckwisch, Superintendent, Portsmouth Public Schools
Edith White, President and CEO, Urban League of Hampton Roads Inc.
Tom Winter, Director, Planning and Staffing, Norfolk Southern Corporation
James Wofford, General Manager, MacArthur Center
Steven C. Wright, Director, Chesapeake Economic Development
2012-2013 Annual Review page 15 of 16
The Opportunity Inc. Youth Council, a group concerned with helping young people, develops the programs
funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) geared towards preparing youth for graduation
and employment. The Council develops these programs in partnership with organizations that provide
support for in and out-of-school youth between the ages of 14 and 21 in the areas of career exploration,
education, leadership development, workplace readiness skills and occupational skills training.
Jeffrey Ainslie, President of Finance, Operations and Sales, The Ainslie Group
Elsie Barnes, Professor of Political Science, Norfolk State University
Barbara Brinson, Youth Coordinator, Youth Opportunities Office, City of Virginia Beach
Thomas Calhoun, President, Norfolk Federation of Teachers
Tammy Carlson, Human Resources Director, Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast
Renee Ricks Felts, Interim Dean, Occupational & Technical Programs, Paul D. Community College
Linda Filippi, Executive Director, Tidewater Youth Services Commission
Kim Garrett, Vice President/Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo Bank
Alice Jones, Director of Student and Alumni Programs, Old Dominion University
Pat Konopnicki, Director, Office of Technical & Career Education, Virginia Beach Schools
Richard E. Mabe, Career Transition Services Manager, Virginia Job Corps
Corey McCray, Director, The Pruden Center for Industry & Technology
Johnny J. Moye, Supervisor, Chesapeake Public Schools Career and Technical Education Instructional
Services Center
Martha Razor, Early Childhood Specialist, WHRO
Kevin Will, President, Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads
Yvette V. Young, Vice President, Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc.
Were you excited to read about the various
ways to get involved with Opportunity, Inc’s
Youth Initiatives? Contact us to make a
difference in the lives of the young people
across Hampton Roads!
Youth Career Center of Hampton Roads
4554 Virginia Beach Blvd, Suite 990
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 233-8686
youthcareercenter@oihr.org
www.myyouthcareercenter.org
2012-2013 Annual Review page 16 of 16