A completion-and-recognition ceremony was held recently for 27 clients in the Support Towards Autonomy, Retraining and Self-Sufficiency programme.
The clients completed nine employment and life-skills workshops, ranging from conflict management and changing attitudes in the workplace to résumé writing and interviewing skills.
According to a Government Information Services press release, the group’s accomplishments were a triumph for both participants and STARSS co-ordinator Cassandra Parchment.
This is the second group to complete the STARSS programme. It began with 50 participants and ended with 27. Another 20 dropped out before finishing, and three received employment early.
Of the 27 STARSS participants who completed the programme, 11 are now employed, the release said.
Director of the Department of Children and Family Services Deanna Look Loy congratulated the group and encouraged them to work hard on the job, to be flexible and to exhibit a positive attitude.
Jacqueline Powell, who recently completed the programme, praised STARSS for giving her back her life.
‘I learned a lot from the programme. It has made me a different person because the workshops helped me to deal with situations differently and helped me to have more self-confidence. I now have a job,’ she said.
STARSS 2004 launch started with only a few participants. One year later, the group has grown to include self-referred participants and a wider base of training in life skills, job skills and job preparation, said Ms Parchment.
‘The programme has received excellent support from networking with private organisations, individuals and government agencies,’ she said.
Ms Parchment said participants’ completion of this series of workshops does not signify their completion of the programme, but advancement to its next two phases, which are to focus on job search for those unemployed. Phase three will offer support to ensure that participants succeed at their respective jobs.
She thanked the organisations that assisted: Employment Services, Rotary Sunrise, Fosters Food Fair, the Women’s Resource Centre and Shay-Nay’s Skin Care.
Ms Parchment said STARSS will launch a third group later this month.
For more information, contact Ms Parchment at 946-0024.
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