By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
November 23, 2011

Don Bosco Centers is empowering Kansas Citians in several ways through its Work Empowerment (WE) Program.

Nearly two years ago, Don Bosco founded WE as a way to aid area residents in their job search and teach them the necessary skills to impress a future employer.

Offered once a month, the two-day class outlines the nine essential steps in finding a job in today’s market, effective resum and cover letter writing and also covers individual goals and potential barriers. One thing that makes the program unique is the one-on-one attention and a follow-up of three individual appointments to perfect one’s resum and cover letter, said Robert Simmons of Don Bosco.

“People who go through our class have a resum that’s different from what most people have. It gets the employer’s attention, which is our goal,” Simmons said.

Several doors are opened for those who complete the two-day class.

Recently, WE graduates had the opportunity to attend a free Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 certification class, thanks to a partnership with the Northeast Community Center.

“OSHA 10 certification is important, particularly in Missouri, because any project in Missouri that uses public funds must use people that are OSHA 10 certified,” Simmons said. “It’s a real opportunity for our clients to be able to go to any construction site and say they are OSHA 10 certified. They would be far ahead of most people who want to work construction.”

During the class, attendees learned about workers rights, employer responsibilities, how to file a complaint, worker safety, health issues related to construction, top hazards, among other topics.

WE graduates are also invited to attend Don Bosco’s newly launched Job Club, which meets weekly.

“One of the things people need who are looking for jobs in this economy is encouragement. What better way for people just like them to come together and say, ‘Well, I had success doing this…'” Simmons said. “This will give them a chance to see other people in their same shoes and say, ‘Yeah, that happened to me.'”

The Job Club will build upon the skills taught in the WE Program and will provide an avenue for job seekers to share their experiences with each other.

“Whenever they come to Job Club, it’s going to be a fun atmosphere, but it’s going to be a learning experience,” he said. “They’re going to walk away with some things and say, ‘This is what I can do to further my chances of getting a job,'” he said.

To learn more about the WE Program or to sign-up for a class, call the Don Bosco Family Support Center, (816) 691-2952 or visit their office located at Garfield and Independence Avenue inside the former charter high school.