For 50 years, American YouthWorks has been helping young people across Central Texas gain the skills, experience and support they need to build meaningful careers and reach their full potential.
Parc Smith, CEO of American YouthWorks, and Jonnyka Clouds Bormann, Chief Development Officer, joined Sierra Waggoner on We Are Austin to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary and share how its programs continue to connect young people with opportunities throughout the community.
Parc Smith, CEO of American YouthWorks, and Jonnyka Clouds Bormann, Chief Development Officer, joined Sierra Waggoner on We Are Austin to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary and share how its programs continue to connect young people with opportunities throughout the community.
American YouthWorks serves primarily young adults who are looking for opportunities to finish their education, gain career skills and find work that can help them build sustainable futures.
American YouthWorks serves primarily young adults who are looking for opportunities to finish their education, gain career skills and find work that can help them build sustainable futures.IMG_5155.JPG
“For 50 years, American YouthWorks has been serving the Central Texas community, primarily the young adults in our community who need that opportunity to finish their education or to move on to careers that will help them sustain their families, and they’ll find a sense of meaning in helping their community,” Smith said.
Through a variety of job training programs, young people can gain hands-on experience in fields including construction, health care, IT, manufacturing, conservation and disaster relief. The programs allow participants to develop practical skills while also making a difference in the community.
American YouthWorks serves primarily young adults who are looking for opportunities to finish their education, gain career skills and find work that can help them build sustainable futures.
That combination of career preparation and real-world experience can be especially valuable for young people who are still figuring out what direction they want to take.
“Especially now, at this moment, young people are having more challenges in navigating career pathways, education systems, post-secondary education and just getting that really important work-based learning and training,” Bormann said. “So we’re really providing all the support and all the resources needed for them to do that and accomplish their goals.”
“Story after story after story of these young people who come in—sometimes they know what they want to do, and they’re really seeking the specific skills for that specific career. Others come in and they’re really not sure what future opportunities they have,” Smith said.
Smith says the organization sees the impact of those opportunities through the stories of young people who come through its programs.
“Story after story after story of these young people who come in—sometimes they know what they want to do, and they’re really seeking the specific skills for that specific career. Others come in and they’re really not sure what future opportunities they have,” Smith said.
For Smith, experiences like those can help young people build confidence by showing them that their skills can have a real impact on someone else’s life.
American YouthWorks gives those young people a place to explore different possibilities, practice new skills and discover what they have to offer.
“They can practice things. They can try some new things out. And in doing that, in practicing those skills, they’re making a difference in other people’s lives,” Smith said.
One example is the organization’s disaster relief work. Following the July 4 floods last year, American YouthWorks participants helped manage donations and provide support to community members impacted by the disaster. The young people were recognized nationally for that work.
One example is the organization’s disaster relief work. Following the July 4 floods last year, American YouthWorks participants helped manage donations and provide support to community members impacted by the disaster. The young people were recognized nationally for that work.
For Smith, experiences like those can help young people build confidence by showing them that their skills can have a real impact on someone else’s life.
“It’s a great way for someone to build their confidence and then find a career that they can move into that will do something meaningful for others and help them sustain their families and careers,” Smith said.
American YouthWorks celebrates 50 years of helping young people reach their potential
As American YouthWorks celebrates 50 years, the organization is also launching its Grow & Serve Fund, an initiative connected to a 25-year partnership with Antone’s and the late Clifford and Susan Antone.
The partnership has helped support young people in Austin for decades, including young musicians and participants in American YouthWorks programs.
“It’s been amazing,” Smith said. “The Austin community has been so helpful.”
Bormann said the new fund builds on that long-standing partnership while creating a way to provide ongoing support for American YouthWorks throughout the year.
“Especially now, at this moment, young people are having more challenges in navigating career pathways, education systems, post-secondary education and just getting that really important work-based learning and training,” Bormann said. “So we’re really providing all the support and all the resources needed for them to do that and accomplish their goals.”
“And so building on that aspiration, and working with Antone’s for so long, 25 years, we launched this fund, this new fund initiative to sustain funding for our programs, for our organization all throughout the year,” Bormann said. “We’ve been producing a fundraiser in collaboration with Susan and Joan and Antone’s for the whole 25 years. And so now that annual fundraiser is kind of turning into this year-long event.”
The Grow & Serve Fund is set to officially launch later this month, giving community members another way to support American YouthWorks and its programs.
Those interested in getting involved can visit americanyouthworks.org to learn more about the Grow & Serve Fund, including available tickets and sponsorship opportunities.
After five decades of service, American YouthWorks is continuing to invest in young people and provide them with opportunities to learn, serve and build careers that can make a lasting difference in their lives and their communities.
Those interested in getting involved can visit americanyouthworks.org to learn more about the Grow & Serve Fund, including available tickets and sponsorship opportunities.