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ARRA Harvest Awards NEW BEDFORD -- The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board (WIB) recently hosted the Harvest Awards to recognize the dozens of local businesses and youth service providers who responded to the rapid influx of $1.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) dollars for youth jobs this past summer. The event took place at Normandin Middle School in the city. Speaking to a gathering of young people and youth program operators, David Cabral, WIB Vice-Treasurer and President of Five Star Manufacturing said, “We harvest what we sow, and we must continue to help grow tomorrow’s workforce.” His message was echoed by Mayor Scott Lang, who acknowledged that the ARRA funding for youth summer jobs required fast action on the part of youth service providers, the WIB, and the city to identify eligible youth and put them into jobs. “We had 22 employers agree to work with youth, and 16 programs. About 800 young people earned money and learned about the world of work over the summer. They cleaned up the city, they planted community gardens, they learned about weatherization and sustainability, “said the Mayor. He went on to say that the experiences they had over the summer allowed them to be productive members of their community and gave the young people a much better understanding of what employers want from them. Representative Robert Koczera praised the support of the business community, the programs, and the hundreds of youth who were employed under the President’s stimulus act. “It’s about the youth and their opportunity to work. We are hopeful that these good efforts can be supported with funding next year.” Carl Alves of Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction (P.A.A.C.A.) and Maria Rosario of Northstar Learning Centers joined forces over the summer, creating the Green Brigade, “platoons” of youth deployed throughout the city clearing parks, painting buildings, planting. They also participated in the social justice environment of Gifts to Give, sorting clothing, toys, and books for needy children. “This partnership allowed us to serve more youth in a very meaningful way – a way that connected them to each other and to their city,” said Mr. Alves. Northstar’s Maria Mojica agreed stating, “We had an opportunity to do some good for the young people and for our community.” YouthBuild New Bedford’s Gloria Williams’ teams of youth cleared 7 acres of overgrowth at Buttonwood Park and received citations from Senator Mark Montigny. “They worked in the heat; they worked in the poison ivy; but they learned to identify different vegetation, and they made a huge aesthetic impact on the park. In fact, I recently noticed that I can now actually see the greenhouse. Before the young people cleaned off the weeds, it was hardly visible,” she said. Recipients: 3rd Eye Unlimited, ArtWorks!, Brick by Brick, Bristol Community College, City of New Bedford, Coalition Against Poverty, Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, Dartmouth School Department, Gifts to Give, Global Learning Charter Public School, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, Junior Achievement, New Bedford Health Care Center, New Directions Southcoast, Inc., NorthStar Learning Centers, Old Bedford Village, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, Peaceworks!, Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction (P.A.A.C.A.), Round the Bend Farm, Symmetry Medical, Town of Fairhaven, Town of Freetown, Training Resources of America, Upper Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical High School, Wareham Boys & Girls Club, Inc., Wareham School Department, YMCA Southcoast, Wareham Child Care. 227 Union Street, Suite 206, New Bedford, MA 02740-5946 PH 508.979.1504 • FAX 508.979.5680 E-mail: Webmaster@gnbwib.org |