Job-Training Program Draws Over 30 Teens

While peers lounge at the beach, soaking up the sun, some Camarillo teens are preparing to SHINE.

SHINE--which stands for smarts, honesty, integrity, neatness and excitement--is a seven-week job-training program for youth making its debut at the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club. The program originated at the club’s Fullerton branch, where it won a national award in 1986.

More than 30 Camarillo youths, ages 13 to 18, have joined SHINE and say they are looking forward to spending up to 10 hours a week learning how to land and hold on to a job.

“It’ll be a good experience for me,” said Geoffrey Spears, 13. “Without a job, you’d be out on the streets.”

And without gaining job experience when you’re young, “you’ll end up working at McDonald’s the rest of your life,” said Spears, a Mesa School student who aspires to be a computer engineer.

Most of the program’s teens look forward to careers as pediatricians, lawyers and gourmet chefs.

“People underestimate their intelligence and capacity,” said Allyson Gold, the Camarillo club’s director, who created the program in Fullerton three years ago.

The program provides proof that teens may want to do more than “hang out all summer,” said Gold, gesturing toward the 33 teens who gathered last week to fill out job applications.

When Sean Regan, the program specialist, asked how many knew their Social Security number, only two raised their hand.

“Make sure to ask your parents for it when you go home tonight,” Regan said. “You’ll need it to get a job and to get into college.”

As part of the Camarillo program, participants will learn how to assess job ads and fill out applications, and how to dress and otherwise prepare for interviews. Practice interviews are scheduled with several Camarillo professionals.

In addition, participants will have an opportunity to volunteer four hours per week with the Boys & Girls Club and work on community service projects.

“This will help them learn how to be good employees, follow directions, show initiative and communicate with a supervisor,” Gold said.

The program is open to all teenagers, but club staff members have also targeted, with the help of area schools, teens who are low academic achievers or are at risk in other ways.

“I’m doing this for my future, so I can learn how to do all the stuff to get a job,” said Gateway Community School student Andrea Molenhouse, 13.