12/18/2009
Arbor Sponsors the Mega Job Expo in Maryland

12/07/2009
ResCare – New Deal in the UK

12/01/2009
2nd Arbor E&T Bake Sale raises $500 for SHARE

11/25/2009
Notification of Breach of Private Information

11/23/2009
Mon Valley Bridge Open House

11/20/2009
SuperJobs Seasonal Hiring

11/18/2009
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 2009, Allen County

11/16/2009
Arbor Welcomes New Texas Regional Vice President

11/06/2009
A moment to honor our veterans

10/22/2009
Arbor Fights the Flu

10/16/2009
ResCare Comments on Indiana Governor’s Announcement

10/07/2009
In the News: Arbor and Green Guide Network

10/01/2009
Tremendous Project in Cincinnati

9/28/2009
Five Project Directors: Interview Five

9/22/2009
Five Project Directors: Interview Four

9/15/2009
Five Project Directors: Interview Three

9/15/2009
Arbor Sponsors Literacy Gala

9/08/2009
Five Project Directors: Interview Two

9/01/2009
Five Project Directors: Interview One

8/26/2009
Snohomish County Enlarges Dislocated Worker Program

8/20/2009
Pennsylvania Governor Visits Harrisburg Summer Youth Program

8/18/2009
Canoga Park Job and Resource Fair

8/13/2009
VIPs in SuperJobs Cincy

8/12/2009
U.S. Department of Labor’s 2009 United We Serve Initiative Begins

7/28/2009
An Innovative Summer Youth Project in Oregon

7/21/2009
Tulsa iJobs Program in Full Swing

7/20/2009
ARRA 2009

7/17/2009
Green Strategies Workgroup

7/15/2009
Green Jobs

7/6/2009
Arbor TANF Partnership in Nebraska Receiving Positive Feedback

7/1/2009
Arbor E&T is Thinking Green

Five Project Directors: Interview Four

By Jamie M. Barnes

This August, while working on another assignment, I was able to interview five of Arbor’s project directors (PDs) in four different programs. I learned so many interesting facts and had such a great time doing the research that I decided to share the fun with you.

JB:  How long have you been with your program, Ms. Gray?

SG:  I have been a director with Arbor since June 2001 but I have been operating this particular program (The Bridge of Pittsburgh – Foster Care One Stop) since January 2007.

JB:  You’ve been with Arbor a long time! Describe your management style—what would your employees and participants say?

SG:  My management style is very permissive. I permit staff to take part in decision making and I also give them a considerable degree of autonomy in completing routine work activities. Participants would say that I am knowledgeable, professional, approachable and always willing to help if possible.
    
JB:  Your leadership style must allow you to set the bar high for success! What would you say is your greatest success as a Project Director?

SG:  My greatest success as a director is working with a great staff of people who really care. They motivate each other and the youth. That motivation causes the youth to achieve positive outcomes and see a value in becoming the best that they can be in this competitive workforce.

JB:  That must be very rewarding, to know what a huge difference you’re making in the lives of your members. How would you describe your program to someone who has never heard of it?

SG:  The Bridge Of Pittsburgh is a center designed for youth who are or have been in the Children, Youth & Families (CYF) system.  The goal of the Bridge is to assist young people to gain the skills and resources they need to live independently by offering GED preparation, SAT Prep, Career and Work Skills, Computer Training, Tutoring, Encourage College Exploration, etc.

JB:  Your program is limited only to certain young people in the area?

SG: Yes, it’s exclusive to those youth ages 16-21 who are currently in the CYF system or have aged out at the age of eighteen.

JB:  What is a typical day as a project director like?

SG:  A typical day as a project director consists of the following:

• Meet with the Independent Living Provider staff who are designated to work onsite for the day
• Ensure that all workshop presenters for the day have all the equipment necessary to make a presentation
• Complete status change forms to reflect attained outcomes
• Monitor youth safety
• Track performance and submit report to staff
• Network with agencies such as the Workforce Investment Board, Student Conservation Association, etc.
• Promote Center services to group homes, residential facilities and kinship agencies
• Develop/design new services that can be offered at Center
• Review Center recommendations from Youth Advisory Board members

JB:  Well, that is quite a full day. What’s the most memorable day you’ve experienced in your program?

SG:  The most memorable day was May 15, 2008. Our center was selected as a tour facility for participants who attended the Child Welfare/Pathways to Adulthood Conference held in Pittsburgh from May 14-16, 2008. We had at least 70 people who came and toured the facility from outside of Pennsylvania. They only work with youth who are in the CYF system. I had members of our Youth Advisory Board lead the tour and make presentations. Our Center is very different because we have merged both the Child Welfare system and Workforce Development into one central location. On May 16, 2008, I was presented a plaque from the conference officials for sharing our program with their conference participants.

JB:  Wow! Congratulations on the recognition you and your program received! Is there a funniest day that you can remember?

SG:  The funniest thing occurred this year when one of our members decided to call the Jerry Springer show and attempted to be selected as a visitor. The member made the call from our Center and immediately got a return call from a Jerry Springer representative. This member stayed on the phone for approximately 10 minutes with the representative and you can tell that they were interested in her story.

Two days later, the member called the Center to let us know that she was leaving the following day to go to the Jerry Springer Show and that all her travel and lodging expenses were paid by the show. She was very excited and told us that she would let us know when she returned. Some staff had an opportunity to view her DVD when she returned.

JB:  What is the best thing about being Project Director of the Bridge?

SG:  I enjoy meeting the youth and encouraging them to reach for the stars. I have a passion for helping people and motivating them to beat the odds. 

JB:  Fantastic! And how and when did you decide on your career path? Did someone inspire you?

SG:  I decided my career path during college. Originally, I started off as a Pharmacy major but changed after completing one year because I realized that I needed interaction with people. 

JB:  Ah, yes. Do you have any “words of wisdom” you’d like to share?

SG:  The “words of wisdom” that I would like to share with others is to NEVER GIVE UP! You may be the only person in somebody’s life who really cares about them; tell them to keep trying.

JB:  And the final question, what do you do when you are not wearing your Project Director hat?

SG:  I try to do relaxing things such as spending time with my family. I travel, bike ride, scrapbook and read. 

JB:  Sounds nice. Taking time out for yourself and your family could be some words of wisdom, too! Thanks so much for your time!