CareerSource
Gulf Coast and Northwest Florida Health Network came together on Tuesday, July
20, to host a Resource Workshop for current and former foster care youth.
“We were so glad to work with our local education partners, as well as Troy University and Northwest Florida Health Network to host this unique event,” said Kim Bodine, Executive Director of CareerSource Gulf Coast. “It is our hope that the youth who were able to attend left knowing that they have resources to rely upon for guidance as they make decisions for their futures.”
The
purpose of the Resource Workshop was to inform and motivate current and former foster
care youth to consider options relative to their adult lives and how they envision
living them. Ultimately, the focus of
the workshop was to help foster care youth to make key decisions that leads
them down a path of job security and prosperity. The National Foster Youth Institute
reports that only 3% of former foster youth obtain a college degree and only
50% of children in foster care will finish high school.
“At NWF Health Network, it is our mission to invest in our youth and young adults,” said Kasey Killebrew, Community Relations Specialist for Northwest Florida Health Network. “We understand the importance in educating them and equipping them so that they will have the tools in which they need to be successful and independent. Our youth are the future of our community and when we all work together, we can truly make a positive difference in their lives.”
The
event included speakers from CareerSource Gulf Coast and education partners
Gulf Coast State College, Haney Technical Center, and Troy University. Each organization
provided information about pre-and-post-secondary training and education. The youth
also had an opportunity to meet with each organization after the workshop for more
individualized assistance.
The CareerSource Gulf Coast Job Center is the region’s one stop center, providing workforce and educational services to job seekers and employers in Bay County. All services are offered to the public at no cost. For more information, please visit careersourcegc.com.
