Learn Earn And Payback

L.E.A.P. (Learn, Earn, and Payback) is a work readiness / work experience program.  This is a great opportunity for participants to learn valuable life and employment skills and earn money.

Program Objectives:

            The purpose of the program is to provide education, guidance, and support in order to enhance knowledge of the working field.  Through instruction and guidance, the youth will have an opportunity to learn and enhance these skills:

· Employment search
· Application completion
· Interviewing skills
· On-the-job skills
· Employment maintenance
· Dispute management
· Personal skills: dependability, reliability, responsibility, independence

Method
            The L.E.A.P. 12-week program is designed for youth entering the job market as well as for those who may owe restitution.  Participants owing restitution are required to submit 75% of their earnings.

            L.E.A.P. is divided into 2 overlapping phases:

PHASE I   (Week 1 through Week 10):
· 20 hours of instruction (2 hours per week - $3.00 per hour stipend provided for attendance)
· Components: job readiness training, mock job interviews, individual workbooks, resume development

PHASE II  (Week 6 through Week 12
· 3 hours per week of actual work experience under direct HHYS staff supervision; total weekly hours: approximately 21

· Sliding stipend scale ($3.00 to $4.25 / hour)
· Emphasis: Work attitude and ethics
· Pay increase / decrease based upon periodic performance evaluation
· Participants are permanently given work boots, gloves, and T-shirt for future use