Federal program opens eyes of youths
Two years ago, when Jerard Johnson started his new position as youth coordinator for Monroe County ACCESS, its Youth Council was not able to function on its own. It's come a long way.
Located at 1099 Jay St., Achieving Culturally Competent Effective Services and Supports, or ACCESS, is an initiative funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the federal government. Its purpose is "to transform the system of care that supports the needs of children and youth with mental health challenges as well as their families."
Susan Gilchrist, the social marketing manager for the Ad Council who also works on the ACCESS initiative, admits that sometimes staff members forget that these youths have challenges. "What's unique about this is that it's youths with emotional and behavioral challenges," Gilchrist says. "It's a way for them to be around people in the same situations."
ACCESS recently partnered with RochesterWorks for a summer youth employment program that placed about 20 individuals in jobs. Johnson believes they wouldn't have been given the same opportunity otherwise. "It opened up their eyes to careers and occupations they never thought possible," Johnson says.
ACCESS employed three people in its office and
provided them with real-life work situations.
"We put them to work," Gilchrist says. "It was created so that we can
set them up for future job opportunities. They rose to the opportunity
and challenge." Gilchrist noted one person in particular who took the
position seriously. "He came in dressed for work everyday," Gilchrist
says.
Johnson is also involved with the Youth
Council, another ACCESS program that meets once a week.
Johnson was surprised when he recently had to cancel a Youth Council
meeting because of another commitment. Instead of being excited that the
meeting was canceled, members were calling and texting him trying to
figure out the reason why. "They wanted to have the meeting," Johnson
says. "It's now a part of their weekly schedule.
"It gives them hope when they are included. They feel better about being successful," Johnson says.
Kerry Van Malderghem
27 September 2009
