Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield is looking to help the youth in its program prepare for the job market with a new initiative.
Launched this month, the Reach Workforce Preparation Program offers hands-on job training, financial literacy activities, career matching, skills development and other services, according to a press release. . It is designed to equalize access to workforce development opportunities for youth and their caregivers in under-represented communities.
“In order to fight poverty in a truly holistic way, especially when it comes to employment, you really have to take a whole family approach,†Brandy Harris, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs, said in the statement.
Boys and Girls Clubs are looking for business and community agencies to collaborate on the Reach initiative.
One businessman supporting the project is Tim O’Reilly, CEO of O’Reilly Hospitality Management LLC. He helped develop the Reach program.
“It will be a great and positive thing for the community and for the club,†O’Reilly said in the statement. “This will begin to break the cycle of issues related to work and professional environments and income and some of the challenges our club families face.”
