Getting your first job is a rite of passage, and for most youth, it is accomplished with relatively little difficulty. But for some, getting a job can be an ordeal. When Melissa turned fifteen, she wanted to get a job and start earning her own money. Her family didn’t have a lot, and she wanted to contribute and start saving as well. When she talked with prospective employers, however, she struggled to sit still and have a conversation and was having difficulty getting hired. Through school, she was referred to YBGR’s Supported Employment Program (SEP) and started meeting with Erica Kern, an SEP Specialist. Together, they worked on the skills and tools she needed to find employment. After a few weeks, Erica noticed that Melissa was able to have great conversations, as long as she had a task to focus on. Erica reached out to a few potential employers and was able to arrange a working interview for Melissa at a local stable. “It was so great! I was able to groom the horse while they asked me questions. Brushing the horse took all the nerves away, and I was able to get the job because I could calm my mind and body with work. I am so excited to have a job now! And I get to work with the horses each day,” says a grateful Melissa.
*For the privacy of the youth served at the Ranch, names have been changed. Image(s) shown here are a representation of those served at the Ranch.
