Victor York

     Traditionally youth councils struggle to find and keep youth as members because youth are typically attending school when meetings are scheduled; have no transportation to the meetings; or aren’t motivated to consistently attend the meetings.

     For several years Gove Aker, Center Director, and Heather Bennett, Supervisory Guidance Counselor, Collbran Job Corps, have worked with a number of youth councils to ensure youth representation. Their answer? Collbran Job Corps students serve on the councils.

     When attending youth councils in metro-Denver and Pueblo  Collbran Job Corps students travel five hours on a bus (one way) from the center.  That’s commitment!

     Recently Victor York, 23 years old, graduating from Collbran Job Corps after one year and nine months on center, completing in the welding and facilities maintenance trades, found that his membership on the Denver Youth Council and attendance at the Denver Workforce Investment Board (WIB) paid an unexpected dividend.

     York told members of the Youth Council he was nearing graduation and was looking for employment. Lori Mack, Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) and staff liaison to the Youth Council, told York to give her a call. Mack was working with UPS in its staffing needs. 

     With Mack’s assistance York interviewed and was hired in package handling by UPS a month prior to graduation from Collbran Job Corps. York attended the September Youth Council meeting where David Ford, OED Board Liaison, presented him with a cake, that congratulated York on his upcoming graduation and success in obtaining employment.

     The bus trips; networking opportunities; participation and attention at monthly meetings by York paid dividends!