Youth Career Center Offers Job Training, Cash Incentives for Prince George’s County Youth
Career coaches, services, and support are now available to teens and young adults.

By PRESS OFFICER
Eckerd Connects

LARGO, Md. (March 6, 2023)—In partnership with Eckerd Connects, the Employ Prince George’s Youth Career Center is proud to announce the success of its educational opportunities, resources, and incentives available at the Youth Career Center for teens and young adults aged 16–24.

The Youth Career Center now offers a variety of programs, including career services, to help our youth and young adults prepare for and secure jobs.  Each participant works one-on-one with a Career Coach who will guide and assist through every step of the program. 

Some of our program offerings include:

• Basic Career Services, with a Resource Room providing access to job search assistance, resume development assistance, Labor Market Information access, and other critical career services. 

• Individualized Career Services, with access to post-secondary occupational skills training and work readiness workshops tailored to individual needs.

• Supportive Services that offer transportation assistance, training supplies, required job supplies, and other services based on individual needs. 

• Cash incentives for participants up to $850.

We offer internships, job shadowing, and “On the Job” training as part of the experience at the Youth Career Center.  Students can complete their high school credentials while advancing in a chosen career or vocation and earning industry credentials. Participants can earn occupational skills credentials such as a Commercial Driver’s License or Professional IT certifications.  The YCC has many employer partners and a proven job placement rate among its program completers. You can find more details here on our website.

Here’s what our participants have to say:

“The program has allowed me to grow in many ways and become a successful young adult,” said Floannie Goode, who completed the Youth Career Center Program to become a nurse assistant.  Floannie received essential Career Services from the EPG Youth Career Center, such as labor market education, career interest matching, and job searching & interviewing skills. 

Goode received nearly $5,000 in assistance for supplies and is now studying to become a registered nurse. Her support included a new laptop, uniforms, and car repairs to help with her transportation to school. These funds were available through partnerships and a Success Award from Eckerd Connects.

The Youth Career Center also provides a Work Experience Program that connects participants with paid internships in their career path. So far, we have placed 10 participants with internships this year and are ready to serve many more.

Leon Lewis, a young father with limited work experience, stopped by the Youth Career Center to find a job.  His true passion was fashion design, but he didn’t have the support to help him get started. 

“When I was alone, I didn’t have any guidance, and nobody in my corner believed in me,” said Lewis.  “The program helped me focus on what I want for myself. It opened my mind to see a vision for my life.”

Ameisha Gathers, an EPG Youth Career Center Workforce Development Specialist, helped Leon enroll in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program, which provided funding for a paid internship with a local fashion designer. Because of the Eckerd Connects programs at the Youth Career Center, Leon was able to learn, get paid, and pursue his dream of starting his own design business.

If you know a young person that needs help getting a job or training, Eckerd Connects and the EPG Youth Career Center are here to help.

Eckerd Connects was founded in 1968 by Jack and Ruth Eckerd with the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed. The national nonprofit organization has connected nearly 316,000 people to the help they need through programs in job corps, workforce development, juvenile justice, and family & children services.  To learn more, please visit www.eckerd.org

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Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay Introduces Legislation to Increase Procurement Opportunities for Small Businesses
Proposed Measure Provides Right of First Award for Certified County-based Small Businesses

By PRESS OFFICER
Prince George’s County Council Media

Prince George’s County Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay, Esq., (District 6), in keeping with a core tenet of the People’s Agenda committed to increasing opportunities for local minority businesses and nonprofits in the County, introduced Council Bill-030-2023—County Based Business Utilization legislation during Council session on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

Under the measure, certified County-based small businesses will have the right of first award for County procurements at or under $150,000 unless the total invoice exceeds the prevailing market range.

Council Vice Chair Blegay reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the County’s small and minority businesses.

“Many of the County’s certified small and minority businesses are owned and operated by Prince Georgians. These are also the businesses that employ County residents.  Small and minority businesses are the engines that drive the local economy and contribute to our growth and prosperity. I am committed to doing everything within my purview to ensure they are provided with opportunities to grow and thrive in the communities where they live.”  

CB-030-2023 has been referred to the Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GOFP) committee for legislative review.

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