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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-6871
The U.S. Department of Labor and the National Youth Employment Coalition
recognized 11 innovative and successful youth employment and training programs
throughout the nation as Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman participated in
the third annual Promising and Effective Practices Network (PEPNet) awards
ceremony today at the Labor Department in Washington, D.C.
The event also honored Rep. Louis Stokes of Ohio for a lifetime of
leadership and commitment to America's at-risk youth. The recognition was given
by Secretary Herman on behalf of the Nationa l Youth Employment Coalition.
Winners include local programs such as MY TURN, which serves
underachieving high-school students in the Boston area; Project Future, a
Philadelphia initiative that provides academic courses and work experience to
out-of-school welfare recipients and Texaco Shadow Program, a Texaco-funded
initiative in Bakersfield, Calif., that helps at-risk students progress from
physical labor to career-development internships in the company.
"Today's global economy is unlimited for young people who are ready for
it and unforgiving to those who are not," Secretary Herman said. "These
wonderful programs mean that more of our young people will be ready. They face
a future of unlimited opportunity. "
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Raymond L.
Bramucci, who presented today's awards, added, "Today's award winners, like
those in past years, are excellent models for helping young people gain the
skills, knowledge and self-assurance to become productive, responsible adults."
Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and several private foundations,
PEPNet was created in 1995 to identify effective youth employment practices and
show that such programs can make a difference in young people's lives.
Thirty-two organizations were recognized by PEPNet in 1996 and 1997. All
awardees, including the 11 named today, were selected by a review board of 50
experts on youth programs from private and nonprofit organizations and
government. They are chosen on the basis of the following criteria: strong,
stable and effective management; well-conceived and implemented approaches to
youth development; an emphasis on the development of skills, knowledge and
competencies that lead to jobs and careers and documented success.
"The PEPNet awardees are key to the National Youth Coalition's efforts
to get the word out about effective practices and help improve outcomes for
youth employment programs," said Alan Zuckerman, the coalition's executive
director, who also participated in today's ceremony.
The National Youth Employment Coalition is a 20-year-old nonprofit
network of more than 100 youth employment and development organizations that
promote policies and programs for youth, parti cularly at-risk young
people.
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Editor's Note: Attached is a list of this year's award winners.
Programs Recognized for Effective Practices
Cassadaga Job Corps Center, Cassadaga, New York, Andrew
Carpenter, center director
Columbus Works, Inc., Columbus, Ohio,
David Hamilton, president/CEO
Crispus Attucks YouthBuild, York,
Pa., Cynthia Dotson, director
Delaware Valley Job Corps Center,
Calicoon, New York, Gregory Sowash, center direc tor
Mayor's Youth
Employment and Education Program, San Francisco, Calif., Betsy Merze nish,
program director
MY TURN (Massachusetts Youth Teenage Unemployment
Reduction Network) Inc., Brock ton, Mass., Barbara Duffy, executive
director
Pittsburgh Job Corps Center, Pittsburgh, Pa., Andrea
Drozic, center director
Project Future, Philadelphia, Pa., Gail
Williams, vice president for program innov ation
Summer Works!
Project-based Learning and Career Development, Bakersfield, Calif., Karine
Kannikeberg, career consultant, Kern High School District
Texaco Shadow
Program, Bakersfield, Calif., Michael Abapo, coordinator
YouthBuild
Detroit, Detroit, Mich., Beverly Manick, executive director
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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