Local youth programs center life skills as part of professional training
30th September 2024 · 0 Comments
By Fritz Esker
Contributing Writer
A variety of local programs are in place to teach children important life skills that they may not learn in a conventional classroom setting.
Kris Cusanza, VP of operations at Sylvan Learning Center of Metairie, said there are many facets to life skills. Her company tries to focus on a variety of areas, including simple organizational skills that help children transition into workplace settings.
“It (organization) is a precursor to project management,” Cusanza said. “Break down complex problems into manageable chunks and make sure each step is being followed in the correct way.”
Digital literacy is also an important component of Sylvan’s program. Cusanza said the program includes instruction on how to utilize internet sources and determining which ones are credible (e.g. a social media influencer does not count as a credible source). It also addresses new issues regarding AI. Using something like Grammarly to check that the grammar for a student’s essay is correct is fine; using AI to write the paper is not.
“Grammarly can be the editor, but you have to be the writer,” Cusanza said.
Finally, part of the digital literacy focus emphasizes using discretion in social media use. Students should carefully think about what they want to put on the Internet and how it could potentially harm them. Future employers and colleges can check a student’s social media posts. A controversial post could result in missing out on a job opportunity or admission to a college.
“Don’t lose out on your dreams because you made a silly post,” Cusanza said.
Financial literacy is an important life skill. Sylvan offers students word problems and basic budgeting exercises to teach this. “It’s always eye-opening when we give a student a copy of a local grocer’s circular and tell them they have $100 to plan meals for a week,” Cusanza said.
Sylvan is not the only organization offering these opportunities to children, however. The Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) teaches local youths life skills as part of its job training programs. YEP Works offers students a customer service training program in their bike shop and thrift store on Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. in Central City. While students learn job tasks like managing point-of-sale systems and taking inventory, they also learn skills that serve them well not just in the workforce but in life. Students learn how to deal with interpersonal conflicts, manage supervisory relationships, and get along with coworkers and peers.
“We teach them about healthy conflict,” said Darrin McCall, chief program officer for YEP. “…how to communicate emotions in a constructive way that isn’t antagonistic or reactive…how to be respectful when navigating misunderstandings.”
YEP Works has a program in Central City and a program in New Orleans East. Each cohort has 10-12 students that go through the 10-week program. McCall added that YEP’s programs are not strictly limited to children. They also have adult education programs that teach life skills.
McCall also emphasized that many of the students in YEP programs lack access to life skills coaching or job training. If they do not learn these skills, they will face more obstacles later in life. He sees YEP as filling a critical need in the community.
“It’s important from an equity and access standpoint,” McCall said. “All young people need this kind of support.”
Cusanza also echoed McCall’s point about the importance of life skills education for youths. “It’s better for parents and students to fill those gaps early,” Cusanza said.
This article originally published in the September 30, 2024 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
