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Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Secretary, Sandi Vito, and her staff have released this UC Benefits Exhaustion Tip Sheet that provides talking and reference points on PA CareerLink®, and the social services available to unemployed workers exhausting their UC benefits.  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Department of L&I Press Secretary Troy Thompson at 717-787-7530.

Pictured Above: Malik Stallworth, 16, a Junior at East High School in Erie, PA.

Maryanne Chaffee, the WIA Youth Case Manager for Erie County coordinated Malik's experience with the Summer Youth Employment Program. 

Malik Stallworth spent his summer days at the busy Erie Maritime Museum, doing a variety of tasks as part of the Workforce Investment Act Summer Youth Employment Program. Malik commented, "This was my first job and it felt good.  It made me more aware of time and need to get work done and be responsible." Malik plans to attend college when he finishes high school. The Erie Maritime Museum staff hopes Malik will come back for events and special programs during the school year and that he’ll share his new knowledge of the exhibits and information with his fellow students and their families.  He will join Ship’s Company for Heritage Day programs in September.

Emily McWilliams, the WIA Youth Coordinator for Venango County relates her experience with the Summer Youth Employment Program and a young man named Anthony.  

Anthony came to the program through a recommendation from a teacher at Rocky Grove High School. Anthony lives in Franklin, PA and attends Rocky Grove High School and the Venango Technology Center studying Natural Resources. Sherry Griswold, Valley Grove Elementary School Principal, indicated that Anthony was assigned to Valley Grove Elementary School to work with the building and grounds crew. He has been involved with general cleaning, moving furniture, exterior grounds cleaning and general custodial duties.  She attests, “Anthony has followed directions and has been prompt and reliable in his duties.  He has performed above and beyond what was expected.”

Brian Greenawalt, WIA Youth Coordinator Crawford County, recounts his experience with a young lady named Aaliyah. 

When he first met Aaliyah, it became evident that she was extremely shy and had difficulty relating to the people around her. Her difficulties with forming relationships with other people were serious enough that they led to her dropping out of school. Brian enrolled Aaliyah in the SYEP program, and she went on to participate in the yearly out of school trip before beginning her assisngmtent at St. John’s Missionary doing office work at the beginning of August. Brian explained, “Since Aaliyah has been enrolled in our program she has shown marked improvement in her ability to work with her peers. She has become far more communicative and is a real pleasure to be around and to work with.”

Jessica Carnahan, Clarion County Youth Coordinator, described her experience with a Clarion County youth named Jessie.

Jessie has been in the WIA SYEP program since October 2006. After a decision a couple of years ago to seek further education, Jessie began cosmetology school.She started with cosmetology school, and then  transitioned to applying to an online school to study accounting. She performed well in this endeavor, but could not afford to continue her education as a result of the birth of her child. This summer Jessie participated in the summer youth employment program and worked at Community Action, Inc doing clerical work. Her supervisor at Community Action, Inc said Jessie did a wonderful job. He confirmed, “Jessie was very professional at all times, and extremely helpful around the office."  On his evaluation of Jessie, he rated her performance highly.  Jessica, the Clarion County Youth Coordinator explained, “Jessie's participation in the Summer Youth Employment Program has provided her with new skills that she can use to advance in the working world.”

Connie Fisher, Warren/Forest County WIA Youth Coordinator, has two success stories to relate.  One is in the private sector with a painting and restoration company.

When a SYEP participant, Leon, entered the program, he was unemployed. Connie recounts, “Leon has done an outstanding job, scoring 100% on his employer evaluation and 93% on his post Work Readiness Test.”  The owner of the painting and restoration company where Leon was employed during the summer months  has decided to employ Leon with the company on a permanent basis due to his work performance.

Another SYEP participant, Shyanna entered the program, she also was unemployed.  She was placed with the Warren County Visitors Bureau and has done an outstanding job, scoring 100% on her employer evaluation. The Visitors Bureau desired to employ permanently, but they do not have the necessary funding to do so at this time.  With encouragement from her Youth Coordinator and support from her employer, she enrolled in the GED program to finish her general high school education. She will continue class training and expects to receive her diploma in the near future.

Liz Huber is the Youth Coordinator for Crawford County Titusville Area comments on Ty, a youth in the SYEP.

Ty, a 21 year-old, never complains, works very hard at every task he is given, is always on time, and never calls off work.  Liz explains, “He says he loves working because it’s a job that is rewarding and makes him feel important. Also he’s working for his newborn baby he just had in May.  When I met Ty, I could tell immediately that he was very motivated, because he had a child on the way. So he was the first to hear about our SYEP. Ty also attended all of the work readiness classes without any complaints.” Ty has been described as “a very quick study".  He learned what he needed to do quickly and performed exceptionally well.”

The Erie County region WIA Youth Case Workers highlight success stories from the Erie Area SYEP.

Tracy Blair, Erie County WIA Youth Case Worker worked with Jeffrey Davis, Manager of Rite Aid in Union City.  Through Tracy's assistance and the SYEP, Davis was able to employ a young woman, who is still in high school.  He described her as a good worker, friendly, dedicated, a quick learner and able to follow directions. She handled the cash register and provided customer service.  She was involved in stocking the shelves and merchandizing. He has already talked to her about hiring her when she graduates from high school. Jeffrey has been involved with the summer program for several years and has always had positive experiences.

Keith Hardner, Erie County WIA Youth Case Worker worked with Todd Briggs, Owner of the Greater Erie Auto Auction in Fairview.  Through Hardner's assistance and the SYEP Briggs was able to employ a high school student over the summer.  The student worked on cleaning up cars and did other maintenance and odd jobs. Todd described him as “a good, clean kid".  "I think the experience benefitted him, learning what work responsibilities are all about.” Briggs believes that the young man's aspiration is to go to a trade school to learn the electrician’s trade.

Adele Burnett, Erie County WIA Youth Case Worker worked with Dick Vantassell, the owner of Carpet Town.  The company specializes in retail and commercial floor coverings. Through Adele's assistance and the SYEP, Vantassell employed a 21 year old young man, who dealt with excess carpet left over from installations. He sized these and made them into smaller lots.  He also helped to get materials ready for the next day’s installations. Dick explained, “He did fine. He was a good kid and did what he was told to do.” 

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These case histories are only a small sampling of the impact of the SYEP program on 417 young people, bringing the human dimension to the statistical data.  Multiplied many times, they provide justification for the resources, both in terms of money and time, invested in them as future participants in the region’s workforce.