The Jobs Club teaches teens valuable skills

In the summer of 2010, the Jobs Club program helped 30 BHA teen residents learn the basics of getting a job. The program, a partnership with Mayor Linda M. Balzotti's office and funded with a $30,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, continued in the spring of 2011. In 10-week programs, teens aged 14 to 17 learned how to write a job application and resume, dress for success, speak persuasively at interviews and increase their job hunting skills. The program was held at Crescent Court, Hillside Village and Roosevelt Heights. There were three directors who planned the curriculum, led the groups and managed older teen residents who served as mentors. We wanted to make the program itself a "real job," so we paid the mentors an hourly wage and gave those who attended every session a $250 stipend.

The teen perspective

Kiesha Gorden of Roosevelt Heights said "Overall, the teen jobs club was a great way for the teens to come out of their shell and participate in an educational program that will possibly help them in the future." Rasheeda Mohammed, a 14-year-old entering Brockton High School, said, "I have learned how to present myself in society and how to have faith and confidence in myself. This program has taught me to learn from my mistakes and use that knowledge to forge a new path in my life." The Jobs Club Program helped young BHA residents develop skills, confidence and perspective in the crucial task of understanding what they want to do with their lives - and how to go out and get it. Among other exercises, we asked attendees to think about the kind of work they might be interested in as they reached adulthood. The classes provided the opportunity for the teens to explore what they love to do and consider a strong interest as a career goal. The skill development and career thinking provided by the program helped spur their ambitions and will perhaps spark future careers. We see the program as an important part of the broader BHA goal of helping our residents transition to self-sufficiency. Success gives our residents an opportunity to give back to the community. They lead; they mentor; they become partners in the mission of making Brockton a great place to live. We're happy to report that some of the teens have found jobs and are working.

Serving residents with our Family Self-Sufficiency program

Our Family Self-Sufficiency Program continues to reach out and recruit residents, giving our residents an opportunity to learn, to earn and to save through an escrow program that potentially leads to home ownership. Since 1998, BHA residents make the transition to self-sufficiency through hard work, saving, attendance at education and training programs, and their desire for success. BHA staff supports this great resident service with counsel and support to enable residents to improve their financial security and to build a better life for themselves, their families and future generations.

Collaborative security programs proving effective

Security at the BHA involves BHA staff, police, our private security firm, Tenant Councils, the Resident Advisory Board and individual residents. Formal security trainings for residents were completed in 2010, as part of our comprehensive and collaborative security solution that includes a close working relationship with Brockton police officers Richard Gaucher and Thomas Donahue, who are dedicated to the BHA. They provide onsite presence and great skill at preventing crime and violence throughout BHA residences. Our contract security company monitors visitors and responds to residents' emergency needs at our larger developments, and provides security evenings and weekends. Working with resident organizations such as the Tenant Councils and Resident Advisory Board, and providing numerous trainings and counseling sessions throughout 2010 and 2011, we also help develop residents and resident leaders who are committed to security and who become independent community leaders. Collaborating on security in this way is helping ensure the safety of our communities.