College Contact:
Judy Osterhage, Foster Education Coordinator and Independent Living
Program Director, 805-965-0581 or
osterhag@sbcc.edu
Target Population:
Economically Disadvantaged Foster Youth
Goals:
Job City USA was created to provide hands-on fun experiences for the
students, especially foster youth, to learn the soft-skills
necessary for employment.
Description:
The Job City USA curriculum is a series of experiences that teaches
foster and disadvantaged youth to be successful in everyday events,
from setting an alarm clock to tying a tie. The experiences are
typically taught in a one-day format where students can participate
in a series of activities by going from table to table. One they
master the activity they usually receive a small price or get to
keep what they created. Activities include:
Alarm clock – once they can set an alarm clock, they get the alarm
clock
Sew on a button – They receive a sewing kit
Tie tying – receive a tie
Personal Color Analysis (winter, spring, etc.)
Makeovers – learn workforce appropriate make up for interviews and
receive makeup
Mock interviews, – receive a tape of themselves and a critique from
a professional
Interview clothes – donated from faculty and staff
The program often includes a field trip event that takes place on a
different day. Field trips have been taken to:
Nordstrom’s – dress for success night, managers’ talk about getting
applying for jobs, appropriate attire, etc.
Go to the Mall – where students are given the task of obtaining
three applications and business cards from managers.
Some schools/groups have made the transportation for the field trip
part of the lesson – getting bus information, etc. — while some
have used a college or school bus. There have been, to date, three
events with approximately 40 students at each event.
Staffing:
Depends on group size. Most staff members at events are volunteers
however; a minimum of one person per activity table or task is
required.
Facilities, equipment, materials:
A large room, with one table for each task to be taught. Depending
on the activities materials must be gathered to handle the number of
students participating.
Costs, funding source:
The program began as a component for the independent living program
– but it was soon evident that there were not enough hands-on
experiences for the students. The initial grant was a small
collaboration grant awarded via Mt. San Antonio Community College.
Outreach and marketing:
The idea is marketed on campus to groups serving disadvantaged youth
as well as at conferences and community meetings.
Evidence of effectiveness: Assessment is in the event – if they get the tie or the alarm clock they get the skills. There is no follow up in the job-place. However, staff reports that Santa Barbara is “one of top” in the state in terms of youth having jobs.