Recycling Lives
Submitted By: Thatcher Weldon
Kern AEBG Consortium
Website: https://bas.kernhigh.org/apps/pages/RecyclingLives
Type of Practice: Learner Transition
Program Area(s): CTE / Workforce Prep / Pre-apprenticeship
Region: Central Valley
Consortia Involved: Kern AEBG Consortium
The Program of Practice
Homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues are prevalent throughout the state. Bakersfield is no different. Often, members of our communities who are affected by these issues are some of the most difficult to serve in terms of support services, education opportunities, and career opportunities.
The Response
Bakersfield Adult School created a program to develop job skills for some of the most in need of support in our community. Recycling Lives provides participants the chance to develop work skills, business skills, goal-setting, and industrial skills to help develop their confidence and get their lives back on track.
The Unique Features of the Program
This program develops a wide-variety of job skills and interpersonal skills. It also is about getting students back into a routine and working with others within a community. This program is life-changing in helping members of our community get back on track and get control of their lives.
The Outcome
There have been numerous students who have received employment upon completion of this course. The students come from a wide-variety of backgrounds. There was one student with a background in accounting who had lost his job years ago. His confidence was very low, and this program helped him realize the skills and strengths that he could bring to a workplace. This student was later given employment through the county. There are many more outcomes and data that the administration and instructor can share.