Youth Employment Program Excels in 2017

2017 marked another great year for the Youth Employment Program, which is headed up by The Highland Center. Here are some stats, quick facts, and testimonials from this year's program:

• Twenty-one students were placed at 24 work sites during this year's program
• Workers completed approximately 2,450 hours during the program this year, which is an increase of more than 30 percent from last year's program
• 20 out of 21 students completed the entire program working through the end of summer
• Work sites included:
• Highland County Health Department
• Highland Inn
• Highland Mountain Flowers
• Riven Rock Farm
• Dare to Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship Center
• Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad
• Neil's Small Engine Repair
• Highland County Public Schools
• Sunny Stables
• Virginia Cooperative Extension
• Church Hill Produce
• Highland Historical Society
• Highland Medical Center Pharmacy
• Highland Medical Center Physical Therapy
• Heart & Soul Massage
• The Real Deal Restaurant & Grill
• Hull's Hideaway
• Sullystone Stables
• VPAS - Meals on Wheels kitchen
• Highland County Humane Society
• White's Wayside
• Allegheny Mountain Radio
• Arts Camp
• Alleghany Meats

• The program held six educational sessions this year, which is up from four last year:
• YEP Orientation
• Resumes 101
• Entrepreneurship 101, which featured guest speaker, Wesley Chiles of Chiles Enterprises
• Entrepreneurship 201, which featured an online curriculum through the University of Nebraska in partnership with 4-H
• Professionalism
• Mock Interviews, which featured eight volunteer proctors

• Next year, the program plans to include a finance class.

• 2017 Testimonials:
• "Our student did a great job. She had a positive attitude, performed her work well, and had a great work ethic. Intelligent, creative, honest, and proficient. I'd highly recommend her in any endeavor she chooses." - Elaine Armstrong, Highland County Health Department
• "He was a pleasure to work with. I'd love to have him back next year if possible." - Joe Neil, Neil's Small Engine
• "Our YEP student did great when given a task and would, most of the time, finish early... He was an asset to us during the summer." - Kari Sponaugle, VA Cooperative Extension
• "This was a good learning experience for our YEP youth... She was very good about being here on time, willing to work, and completed her tasks to the best of her ability." - Susie Newlen, Highland Mountain Flowers
• "Our participant was very helpful during her time here. Always pleasant to patients and staff and followed direction well... Very courteous and friendly." - Bill Shaver, Pharmacist, Highland Medical Center
• "Our employee was a wonderful asset to the farm. A great worker and very respectful. I hesitate to recommend him to another work site... because I'd love to have him back next year!" - Chuck & Lou Ann Neely, Riven Rock Farm
• "He helped with lawn care and cleaning... It was a great help to VRS members to not have to provide those services and, instead, put their time towards operations." - Chris Vernovai, Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad
• "She was a delight to have here... I think that YEP is outstanding and is shaping the future of Highland by preparing the next generation of employees... I hope others understand the valuable contribution the program makes to our youth." - Marsha Lunsford, Dare to Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship Center

For more information on the Youth Employment Program, please contact Josh Umar at The Highland Center at (540) 468-1922 or email joshuaumar@htcnet.org.