Interview w/ Kevin Hickey, Senior Manager, Jewish Vocational
Services (JVS)
by Justin Slaughter, AmeriCorps VISTA Research Associate
1.) What programs or services does JVS offer to youth with disabilities?
For forty years JVS have offered job searches, career exploration, and job training to adults with barriers to employment. The last eighteen years we have incorporated youth into our program—including youth with disabilities. In partnership with San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), JVS offers in-school, or during the school day, services to students with special needs. JVS also partners with SFUSD to provide paid internships for students with disabilities during school year and summer. JVS is a city-wide Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program (MYEEP) agency, which allows us to recruit, train, and place youth with disabilities in paid internships. For youth out-of-high school and living with disabilities, we have programs for competitive job placement, helping young people prepare resumes, prep for interviews, etc. JVS also has some support for current City College students, that provides help with class registration and FAFSA forms.
2.) What makes you special from others doing similar work?
Our workforce development is sector-based, which means we target local employment industries that provide entry-level opportunities and career paths leading to self-sufficiency. We also build on employer partnerships, and use those connections to connect businesses in need of employees with newly-trained youth and adults. With our youth clients we maintain a continuum from the age of 14 on; therefore, we are more adept at facilitating the education and employment opportunities for the individual youth early in their career.
3.) You mentioned your workforce development is sector-based, what job sectors do you collaborate with for youth with disabilities?
Though JVS does not yet have sector-based program targeted specifically to youth with disabilities, our Youth Health Sector Bridge program which serves all youth 17-21, provides classes and placements in the healthcare sector. For young people of all abilities at San Francisco Downtown High School, we offer work-readiness training and work-based learning in partnership with San Francisco Recreation and Park.
4.) What will be going on at JVS in the coming months? What can we expect from JVS in the future?
JVS is recruiting for the Youth Health Sector Bridge program this week, the most important thing going on right now.
5.) On a personal level, what motivates you to continue this work?
My interest in helping youth get jobs and working in schools was interesting to me. The work is challenging and important, never a dull moment.
Is there ways for those interested to help JVS?
We do accept volunteers, if people are interviewed for youth serving programs, they should contact me directly at khickey@jvs.org or 415-782-6279
Related posts:
- Jewish Vocational Services seeking applicants for F/T High School and Bridge Programs Manager
- Jewish Vocational Services youth employment program now hiring 4 full-time positions
- Interview with Ed Melendez, Director of Education & Employment at Larkin Street Youth Services
- Young Adult Voices: Interview w/ Shavonte Keaton, Prevention Services Coordinator, Larkin Street Youth Services
- Interview with San Francisco Conservation Corps Executive Director Ann Cochrane
