THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 11, 1995 TAG: 9505090114
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: In The Neighborhoods
SOURCE: Mike Knepler
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
This teen jobs program is called ``Summer STEPS.'' The name also suggests a good way of looking at solutions to some inner-city issues.
The name implies a series of steppingstones - toward careers and generally along life's paths.
From another angle, the program can be seen as a steppingstone in a city's long-term life.
That's the view of Ernie Edwards, Summer STEPS project manager for the Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project, or STOP, the main sponsoring agency.
The kids, Edwards said, ``are the future citizens of Norfolk.''
``There's a lot of kids who want to be involved constructively. So, to give them an opportunity to build and utilize their skills is absolutely critical.
``I'm paying taxes and want to continue living in Norfolk. We need to start tapping the constructive energies of those kids.''
Summer STEPS has two parts: one that offers volunteer work for middle-schoolers and another component that places high-school students in paid jobs.
Both are important.
Usually, most summer job programs for teens focus on finding paid positions. There are good reasons: kids and their families need the money; it's important to learn early how to earn one's way in the world; salaries bolster self esteem.
But as Edwards said, most younger teens can't get work permits, so they don't qualify for paid jobs. Still, they, too, are maturing fast and often need structured opportunities.
There are some other things that kids can get from volunteering that also get overlooked. Here's where Summer STEPS hopes to help.
The volunteer part of Summer STEPS is called PRIDE, for Personal Responsibility in Daily Efforts. Again, you get the idea from the name.
``These kids want jobs, and this is a way of bridging to that,'' Edwards said. ``The volunteer service gets their feet wet. It also reinforces what's happening in schools. They'll not only be helping people but they'll be in some office situations, too, where they can see why they need an education. It's critical that they get a taste of that.''
Summer STEPS is still recruiting employers and agencies that can offer volunteer experiences. ``We don't want to displace any job opportunities,'' Edwards said. ``But we want to get them exposed to office environments.''
For now, Summer STEPS is available to a limited number of teens in Park Place, Diggs Town and Oakleaf Forest. There are plans to expand to more neighborhoods in the future.
The seven-week program begins just after July 4th.
STOP's partners include the Park Place Civic Leauge, the Truancy Action Program, Volunteer Connection and Park Place Academy.
One more note: Programs like Summer STEPS teach that citizenship also means contributing to overall society, not just being a voter, taxpayer or consumer of government services.
Harry Boyte of the University of Minnesota talks about this: ``It's regenerating citizens as producers. It's not what you get but what you create. That you see yourself building things for society.''
Boyte likes to refer to the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. ``There were 3 million kids building bridges, dams, parks . . . creating a national treasure,'' he said.
Through Summer STEPS, businesses, large and small, and nonprofit agencies each have the chance to be their own 1990s version of the CCC. MEMO: For Summer STEPS information, or to offer paid jobs or volunteer
opportunities, call STOP, 858-1364.
by CNB