Escambia County Program Puts Youth To Work
August 10, 2018
As 17-year-old Raina Brown quickly made her way through a stack of emergency medical bills on a bustling Thursday morning at Escambia County Public Safety, you’d never know she’d only been doing her job for a couple of months – or that she just graduated high school in May.
Rather than just enjoying a break before starting her college education, Brown – who plans to be a nurse – spent her summer working for Public Safety through the Escambia County Youth Employment Program. She learned the ins and outs of Emergency Medical Services billing, insurance, customer service and related skills, also becoming CPR certified.
Brown was one of 76 local youth who participated in the Youth Employment Program this summer, which gave 16 to 24-year-olds the opportunity to get paid work experience in various county departments, including Public Works, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.
Through the program, youth worked up to 30 hours a week at minimum wage, gaining valuable experience all summer while learning workforce etiquette such as professional dress, timeliness and respect.
Brown said she was excited to work with computer programs and learn terminology often used in hospitals, which she said will help her in the future as she studies to become a registered nurse.
“Just knowing that I am getting an opportunity to do something like this, and the fact that I know it’s going to help me in the future makes it a lot better for me, and a lot more fun because I know I’m going to take something out of this,” she said. “It’s not just a job, it’s not just fast food – it’s something that I can keep with me forever.”
Brown’s supervisors were so impressed with her that they hired her after the program ended to work part-time while she attends Pensacola State College to get her associate degree.
“Raina is the type of person who’s a go-to,” EMS Billing Manager Shandra Jenkins said. “She takes the initiative, and she thinks outside the box. She would be an asset to any company that would employ her…Raina takes every challenge as an opportunity for growth.”
Several youth employees got to see what it’s like to work at one of the county’s seven public library branches, which was especially exciting for 17-year-old Sarah Hammer, who plans to be a librarian and author.
Hammer, who is starting her junior year at Pensacola High School, said the Youth Employment program gave her a great first job experience that helped build a solid foundation for when she begins her career as a librarian.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Hammer said. “A lot of learning opportunities, a few challenges, but mostly it’s been a good time…I’ve enjoyed getting the basics now so that when I try to get a real job in a library or I try to become an actual librarian, I already have the basic knowledge of what goes on in a library from day to day.”
Ben Areola, 17, also had his first job experience through the Youth Employment Program, spending his summer working with the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office as they prepared for the Aug. 28 primary. He worked on everything from preventative maintenance on the voting machines to making ballot decks to test the machines before election day.
Although the tasks were outside of Areola’s projected study field of architecture or engineering, he said he enjoyed the variety of the work and appreciated learning about timeliness, responsibility and how to work well with his supervisor.
“I’m always excited to get up in the morning and see what I’m doing, because it’s not like you do the same thing every day,” he said. “Because once you’ve done one thing, you have to do something different to get ready for the election. So I just enjoyed the work environment.”
Doug Browne, a warehouse specialist with the Supervisor of Elections Office, supervised Areola over the summer and had nothing but positive feedback about working with him.
“I wish I had more of Ben,” Browne said. “He’s a very, very good employee. When I give him a task, he does it well. There are some things I gave him to do that he found an easier way to do it, so he was quicker at it – he’s always thinking about stuff like that.”
For one youth employee, working with the county over the summer helped solidify his plans to pursue studies in video and digital production. James Hill, a 19-year-old sophomore at Florida State University, worked in the county’s Community and Media Relations Division. His tasks included filming and editing videos for the county’s TV station, ECTV, working in the studio during the live broadcast of county commission meetings and making online documents compatible with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
“My experience has been pretty interesting,” Hill said. “It’s been a learning experience, and it kind of helped me reevaluate what I like about videos and photos and editing. And it was also a learning experience because I had more of a sense of responsibility having to do certain things on my own.”
Youth Employment Program participants also received job readiness training and post-employment briefings, which provided them feedback about their job performance. The youth workers were recognized by District 3 Commissioner Lumon May and Neighborhood & Human Services staff at a ceremony Thursday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Animal Shelter Offers Back To School Adoption Specials
August 9, 2018
To celebrate the back to school season, The Escambia County Animal Shelter is offering a special reduced adoption fee of $50 for all dogs and puppies and $20 for all cats and kittens from Wednesday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Sept. 8.
Adoption fees include altering of the animal (spay or neutering services), microchip and the initial vaccinations, including rabies vaccinations. Escambia County residents will be required to purchase a license at the time of adoption. The license is an additional $11 over the adoption fees and is paid separately. Adopters are required to take their new pet to a primary vet within the first week, and owners will be provided a copy of their pets medical record to show the vet.
The Escambia County Animal Shelter is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive and is open Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the shelter at (850) 595-3075
Deidra’s Gift: School Supplies Donated To Area Elementary
August 8, 2018
The group Dedria’s Gift donated school supplies Tuesday to Flomaton Elementary School. The supplies were distributed in memory of Dedria Robinson, who was killed in 2005 in an automobile accident at age 11. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Gardening Programs This Week In Cantonment
August 7, 2018
Two gardening programs are coming up this week at Escambia County Extension in Cantonment.
Learn About Master Gardener Program
The Master Gardener volunteer program will hold an open house and information session on Wednesday from 9-10 a.m. at Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
The program is for those interested in the University of Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program in Escambia County. Learn about training sessions, volunteer activities, and the role of Master Gardeners in the community. Applications will be available for interested participants for the 2018‐19 Fall/Winter Master Gardener training program.
For more information, call (850) 475-5230.
Garden Club Gardening Classes
The Florida Federation of Garden Clubs will sponsor gardening classes from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment. The short course will teach gardening and environmental issues.
Lean how to plant and maintain ornamental grasses, native and pollinator plants, shade and rain gardening and alternatives to turf. The program is $50 for garden club members, $60 for non-members, lunch included. For more information, call (850) 293-4902.
Escambia County Native Inducted Into Florida 4-H Hall Of Fame
August 6, 2018
Florida 4-H honored several lifetimes of positive youth development last week week when five community leaders — including a North Escambia native — were inducted into the UF/IFAS Extension Florida 4-H Hall of Fame.
Henry Davis was born to John A. and Annie V. Davis and raised in Davisville. He joined 4-H in Escambia County in 1937, when he was 10-years old. A World War II veteran and UF alumnus, he became the director of UF/IFAS Extension Taylor County in 1954 and retired in 1982. During his tenure, five Taylor County youth served as state 4-H president — an impressive track record, considering Taylor County’s small and largely rural population.
Davis has been very involved in giving back to the Taylor County community, holding numerous positions in local organizations. In 2002, the Henry P. Davis Scholarship Fund was established to help disadvantaged Taylor County 4-H members attend 4-H summer camp.
Northview NJROTC Holds Orientation Camp
August 5, 2018
Incoming freshmen at Northview High School recently participated in a week-long Naval Science orientation camp for the NJROTC unit. The learning and fun activities at the camp included a NJROTC program overview, Northview campus tour, basic drill, basic uniform standards, physical fitness, Adopt-A-Campus and a field trip to the Pensacola Lighthouse.
The focus was all about developing team-building skills and getting to know their future peers, and the program they will be participating in prior to the new school year and entering high school. Orientation was ran by graduates of the Leadership Academy and Basic Leadership Training camp held yearly at NAS Pensacola.
Program participants were John Bashore, Aaliyah Cottrell, Jonathan Gibbs, Paige Gibbs, Wyatt Greenberg, James Hasty, Ethan Kilburn, Dallon Rackard, Ashton Ray, Aaliyah Tucker and Skylar Wise.
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Local Thrift Store Offers Back To School Deals, New Hours
August 5, 2018
A local thrift store has new hours, and they are have bargains just in time for back to school shopping.
The My Father’s Arrows Thrift Store in Century is now open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The store offers a clothing, housewares and more. It is located at 11 East Highway 4 near the railroad tracks, just east of North Century Boulevard.
My Father’s Arrows is a faith based, community driven, public charity that helps children in foster care. Foster families received free merchandise when they provide their care and custody letter.
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Contributed.
Weekend Gardening: August To Do List
August 4, 2018
Here are gardening tips for the month of August from the UF/IFAS Extension program:
What to Plant
- Bedding Plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting now to heat tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
- Bulbs:Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.
- Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger,Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
- Vegetables: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now, including a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as pepper. Tomato can be planted for the fall garden.
- Lawn problems: Damaged areas can be the result of insects, disease, or irrigation problems. Be sure to determine the cause so the proper remedy is used. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove 1/3 of grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.
- Palms: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
- Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.
- Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those plants that show signs of deficiencies.
- Bedding Plants: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
- Adjust irrigation based on rainfall.
- Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Monitor the garden for insects and disease.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and water until established.
Molino Library Wraps Up Summer Reading Program
August 3, 2018
A West Florida Library Summer Reading Program Wrap Up Party was held Thursday at the Century Branch Library to celebrate the end of the library’s annual summer program.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Summer Reading Program Wrap Up Party Held At The Library
August 2, 2018
A West Florida Library Summer Reading Program Wrap Up Party was held Wednesday at the Century Branch Library. Participants played games, received prizes, made slime, painted rocks and more to celebrate the end of the summer reading program.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
