Creating Community School Partnerships
January 2019
The recent expansion of the Workforce Innovative Opportunity Act grant to continue the Youth Employment Pathways Program has expanded to include the Elizabeth, Hillside and Plainfield school districts as well as partnerships with local nonprofit agencies in the Elizabeth School district. United Way of Greater Union County has begun providing direct services to high school youth in Hillside and in Plainfield where services are needed.
The in-school youth component is designed to target high school students with educational challenges and assists them with the tools needed to graduate high school, gain leadership skills and pursue post-high school graduation career goals.
Students from each school district meet every week and are involved in skill-building workshops. One school district is helping youth earn Microsoft Suite certification, while others are receiving tutoring services in math and literacy.
United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) manages YEPP implemented by the Youth Employment and Training Consortium (YETC). The Consortium supports in-school youth (14-21 years old) struggling to graduate from high school and out-of-school youth (16-24 years old) not working, to attain a degree or certificate, secure employment, enroll in education or training programs, increase their earnings, and/or achieve measurable skills gained towards securing a credential or employment. The Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant was awarded by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Workforce Development Board, to coordinate the YETC.