TeenQuest graduates seeking on-the-job succes
By Jill Blondin | Contributing Reporter to The Flint Journal
July 31, 2008
GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- Asia Lorick, 16, a junior at Carman-Ainsworth High School, hopes to get a job next summer at a clothing store.
About TeenQuest
• Students must be 14-18 or currently enrolled in grades 9-12 in a public, private or home school in Genesee County.
• The program focuses on basic skills required to work and succeed in today's job market.
• TeenQuest graduates are eligible to participate in the 2009 Summer Youth Initiative.
• Students must complete four hours of community service after graduating from the program.
• For more information about the program, call (810) 600-1413.
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Landon Hendrix, 18, of Flint, wants to work in broadcasting someday. For the time being, he said he'll take just about anything to help pay for classes at Mott Community College.
Avante Hatter, 15, a sophomore at Carman-Ainsworth, wants to work with children.
All three are off to a good start thanks to the TeenQuest program, which teaches high school students throughout Genesee County how to become competent and dependable employees.
"I didn't even know it helps to have a firm handshake," Avante said. "I was told I can be whomever I want to be. I just have to speak up."
Asia said the most important thing she got from the program was a positive mental attitude.
"It changed my behavior at work and at home," she said. "I learned how to control my anger and be polite."
Landon said he not only learned the value of hard work, he's cleaning up after himself at home -- much to his mother's surprise.
The trio were among 52 students who graduated Wednesday from the TeenQuest program.
Run by the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, TeenQuest is the first step toward landing a job through the Summer Youth Initiative. The $775,000 program this year paid about 450 students to work at four local businesses and 19 nonprofit organizations.
Chamber Chief Executive Officer Tim Herman warned the graduates that it can take a long time to land a job, and that they should not get discouraged.
"You are someone any employer would be glad to have work for them," he said. "I'm proud of all of you."
Several family members in the audience echoed the sentiment, including one who thanked the students for "going against the grain."
Wednesday's ceremony took place at Kettering University in Flint. Successful completion of the program makes graduates eligible to participate in the 2009 Summer Youth Initiative.
Rhetta Hunyady, group vice president of operations and employer education and training at the chamber, said TeenQuest is in its 12th year. This is the first year, however, that the organization decided to train the students in advance rather than on the job.
The program has an attrition rate of about 15 percent to 20 percent, Hunyady said, but many of the students who drop out return later to complete the training.
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