New Tool for Success

Swing by our OHB campus on any given day in the late afternoon and you’ll most likely see many of our young men working alongside staff as part of our Youth Employment Program. Some might be mowing or shoveling snow on our 59-acre campus while others are feeding livestock, cooking dinner in the Dining Hall or preparing vegetables for sale at a farmer’s market. No matter the job, the youth are more motivated and better prepared for the workforce than ever before thanks to a new element of our Youth Employment Program, the opportunity to earn work certificates.

In October 2019, we introduced the opportunity for the young men working in our Youth Employment Program to earn work certificates. Youth can earn work certificates in a number of areas including Kitchen Essentials, Agriculture and Lawn Care, Horticulture, and Facilities.

In order to earn a work certificate, the youth must complete a minimum of 48 hours of work. That typically takes approximately eight weeks. Additionally, each certificate has criteria that must be met and the youth must be proficient in the skills required of the job to earn the certificate.

“We really built the work certificates to showcase exactly what skills the youth are learning,” said Justin Loehr, Senior Director of Campus Services. “Once hired, youth will still require some training, but they’ve mastered many skills that your average hire may not have.”

Youth in our Residential Living Program have been required to hold on-campus employment for quite some time but the new work certificates have added an extra incentive to work hard.

“We’re built on a motivation system at OHB,” said Justin. “We’ve received feedback from the managers who employ the youth saying that they’ve noticed youth are working harder, doing more and are more excited to come to work now that they have the certificates to work towards.”

Motivation aside, the work certificates also provide another tool that youth can take with them on job interviews or attach to job applications.

Makih, one of the first youth to earn a work certificate, agrees that the certificate is so much more than just a piece of paper. “I’m really excited to have this. I know it will help,” said Makih.

Scott Yahnke, Agriculture Program Coordinator at OHB, leads a group of boys on his garden crew. He’s teaching small market farming where youth are learning how to grow produce for production and sale. Youth must also master landscape improvement methods and poultry care in order to earn his Horticulture Certificate.

“The chance to earn work certificates definitely pushes the boys to work harder but the new certificate program also benefits me as their employer,” said Scott. “I’ve found that I’ve expanded what I’m teaching the boys about horticulture since the certification program started.”

Help the youth at OHB enter job interviews and the workforce with confidence. Your gift today can purchase interview attire, haircuts and work uniforms, helping set the youth up for success. Please give today!