Area teens find futures at Job Expo
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Saturday was Youth Day, according to a proclamation by Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden, so nearly 500 area teenagers celebrated by attending a Youth Explosion job expo at the River Center.
The teens, some with their parents, milled around among more than 50 booths and tables hosted by businesses and government agencies picking up brochures and filling out applications. They also heard inspirational messages from elected officials, successful business people, and at least one professional athlete.
“We want to offer them alternatives to the crime, violence and substance abuse we see on the streets,” Holden said. “This (expo) lets them know we stand ready to assist them, that there is a better way of life and that the jobs are out there.”
The Youth Explosion event was a cooperative effort between city-parish government and the federal government’s Workforce Investment Act program, formerly known as the Jobs Training Partnership Act.
Isaiah Marshall, Workforce Investment Act program director at the Baton Rouge Career Solutions Center, said he was pleased with the turnout, especially since about 100 teens were there waiting when the doors opened at 9 a.m.
“Just think about how many young people are up that early on a Saturday morning,” Marshall said. “Their wanting to be here at that hour is an amazing fact in itself.”
James Gilmore, managing partner of the Leadership Management Institute in Slidell, told the teens that he is a successful businessman today because when he was their age, 15 years ago, he enrolled in the federal Jobs Training Act program.
“I got a summer internship at the Governor’s Office making coffee and making copies and it helped me to decide I wanted a career in public service,” Gilmore said. “Expos like this help students decide what they want to do with their lives.”
William Kaufman, 16, a freshman at Scotlandville High School, said he was there “looking for a summer job.” His mother, Linda Allen, had more than that in mind.
“I want him to get some experience working,” Allen said. “He needs to learn how to deal with people instead of hanging out on the street, get an education and keep out of trouble.”
Of all the tables and booths, the U.S. Army’s was drawing the largest crowd for most of the morning. While some students wanted only a free “Army Strong” carabiner, a type of key ring, many others stood patiently in line to visit with recruiters.
Sgt. 1st Class Chad Breaux said there is “a lot of interest” in the Army because “the biggest motivator is the education potential. They can get up to $72,000 in benefits for college.”
Shandea Hulbert, 17; Samira Oliver, 16; and Rashawn Grady, 17, all of St. Paul Adult Learning Center, were interested in the Army.
They listened to Breaux explain the benefits, asked him a few questions and then filled out forms to get more information through the mail.
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