Joe Beckman, consultant to the YES Program,
was on the board which created the foundation for the program.
Currently, Beckman is working to broaden the program so that more
individuals will become aware of its existence.

Now is an
optimal time to sign up for the program because "It is not fully
enrolled," said Beckman. "We're actively seeking almost 20 kids to
enroll in this program, by the end of January."

"We have a
priority for low-income kids. We can take up to 10 kids who don't meet
that requirement. Every kid who's admitted in this program will be
guaranteed a job," said Beckman.

Despite the low-income
requirement, some other students are allowed to participate in the
program. However, half of the participants must abide by the income
stipulation.

Career development is paramount to the goal of
the program. "The real focus is that kids run the risk of not
graduating, of not getting a job, or the risk of not knowing enough
about careers to find a job that leads to another job, that leads to a
real career," said Beckman.

Because students experience
difficulty clinching a job until the age of 16, that is the minimum
age, at which students are accepted into The YES Program, according to
Beckman. "It involves career exploration, which means being a
volunteer, or in some cases, a paid staff member, from time-to-time,"
he said.

Typically, students in the program all possess unique
objectives, which they wish to pursue, on a broad and specific level.
"The goals really are to help kids develop their goals in terms of the
training or skills they might need," said Beckman.

Do you want
to develop a clearer picture of a participant? Beckman describes one
adolescent in the program: "One of our kids is quite charming and a
very good soccer player, but he's also in the vocational department and
has been in the vocational department for four years. He's sort of
moving toward [having a career in] a restaurant. He's also interviewing
now with the Boys and Girls Club about being a soccer coach and being a
coach for younger kids. Both of those occupations are worth his serious
exploration."

The YES Program includes tours of jobs sites and
of colleges, as well as offers assistance in resume development. In
addition, volunteers attend the program to discuss their occupation and
what it entails, on a daily basis, according to Beckman.

Although
funding for the Yes Program has remained consistent, in order to obtain
additional money for the program, it is essential that more eligible
students enroll. "There are at least 10 to 12 to 15 slots open now,"
said Beckman.

Funding for YES is provided through Employment
Resources, Inc. and the Workforce Investment Act. Special assistance
with YES is provided by the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program,
according to a press release.

Beckman believes that it would be
beneficial for the YES Program to partner with other agencies in order
to select more students to partake in and benefit from it.

"Part
of my role is to partner with other agencies, who may want to make [the
YES Program] available to their kids," said Beckman.