For Information Contact:
David Mathis
798-5908
Griffo
Urges Youth to Achieve Their Dreams at AVE, PAVE Graduation Ceremony
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Oneida
County Executive Joe Griffo along with Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito and
AVE graduate Anthony Johnson of Utica, a student speaker |
For
Cassandra Snyder, it was a first look at her dream career in medicine. For
Carrie Bordeaux, it was a look ahead at her future. For Nina Valencia, it
was a gateway to employment. For Anthony Johnson, it was a lesson in
teamwork.
For
these Utica students and the others who participated in today’s graduation
ceremony, the AVE (Adolescent Vocational Exploration) and PAVE (Progressive
Adolescent Vocational Exploration) programs operated by Oneida County
Workforce Development offered a unique opportunity to get ahead.
Giving
disadvantaged youth a head start on the future is the idea behind the
programs, said Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo.
“Tomorrow belongs to you,” Griffo told the students during the ceremony held at MVCC’s Utica campus. “You are the workforce of the future. You are Oneida County’s future leaders. AVE, PAVE and all of our efforts exist because we want to help you make that tomorrow the best and brightest day it can be.”
Griffo
encouraged students to continue their education, citing federal figures that
show a high school graduate will earn 40% higher wages than a high school
dropout; a 4-year college graduate will earn 77% more than a high school
graduate and an advanced degree recipient will earn 30% more than a
bachelor’s recipient.
Griffo said Oneida County operates the two programs to provide encouragement and inspiration. “Young people get a lot of negative messages. Programs that have a structure and offer a lot of support can help young people see beyond today and plan for a great future,” he said.
Griffo was joined by Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, who hosted AVE and PAVE students during the year. AVE (Adolescent Vocational Exploration) and PAVE (Progressive Adolescent Vocational Exploration) are funded through grants from the New York State Department of Labor. Destito has consistently supported funding for the programs.
Student
speakers at today’s ceremony noted the impacts of the programs on their
lives.
·
Cassandra Snyder noted that AVE “helped me believe
that my dream was something that could be possible and not only a dream.”
Snyder, whose goal is to become a doctor, said she learned through the
program that her goal was within her reach.
·
Nina Valencia said, “my grades in school have
improved because of my participation in the PAVE program.” She also said
career research performed through the program will help her make better
choices when looking at colleges.
·
AVE participant Carrie Bordeaux enjoyed learning
about how to find work, the kinds of skills employers want and the education
needed to achieve her goals. “I have a new look on my future, thanks to
the AVE program,” she said.
·
AVE participant Anthony Johnson praised the AVE
program, saying it was “underestimated” and adding: “it taught me …
to really, truly be part of a team.”
Oneida
County Workforce Development Director David Mathis said Oneida County’s
AVE and PAVE programs are positive impacts on youth in need of direction. By
providing academic supports, career tours, career exploration activities,
community service and increased computer skills – all during the
after-school hours that experts agree are vital to keeping youth out of
trouble – AVE and PAVE provide a structured, supportive environment for
students to learn. In the summer, students also earn wages as they work in
areas related to fields they have explored during the school year, Mathis
said. These dollars help support the local economy, generating profits for
businesses catering to youth, and also helping families in need of a few
extra dollars in these tight economic times.
Mathis
noted that instead of lost time wasted on the streets, students in the AVE
& PAVE programs:
·
Toured local employers.
·
Received work experience.
·
Collected wages for their work
·
Researched careers
·
Created career projects that could earn them high
school credit.
Students
interested in the programs can contact the following people:
AVE: Rose
Garcia-Padilla, 798-3700
PAVE:
Denise Gregory, 798-4466
Both
programs operate out of the Utica ACCESS Site, 508 Second Street.