Laura JohnstonThomas Ford Learning AcademyAEDYEnglish Language Arts Grades 6-12
Safe Berks provides a safe haven and support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Their advocacy and education programs increase awareness of oppression and promote the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault.
�People who are hurt need to know it is not their fault and it is ok to ask for help
�We should all feel safe and valued
�Knowledge is Powerful
�Children need positive role models
A FIVE-DAY SUMMER LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR EDUCATORS
� Berks county employers are facing workplace shortages
� The education community can help
� Schools can integrate and teach job readiness skills that employers are seeking in the curricula
� Students should be aware of workplace demands, career trends, and employment opportunities in Berks County
� Educators who participate will learn insights into the challenges Berks businesses are facing to hire skilled and competent employers and be able to bring new insights to the classroom to rectify these problems
SUMMARY OF BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
� Day 1: Tour of Facilities with Mary Kay Bernosky� Safe House: Talked with Hotline Operator and Case Manager� Living Quarters: Toured New Outside Playground for Children, Toured
Bedrooms, Social Quarters, Outside Garden, Kitchen and Dining Area� Legal Team: Talked with lawyers about their role with Safe Berks� Advocates: Talked with advocates about skills need for their position
and their day to day operations� Met Safe Berks accountant� Development Team: Spoke with Development about upcoming
community outreach programs � Education Team: Spoke with education team and viewed curriculum
used in prevention services
SUMMARY OF BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
� Day 2: Education Team� Traveled to I Lead Charter School with the education team
� Engaged in Prevention Education to students about Healthy Relationships
SUMMARY OF BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
� Day 3: #CampSafeBerks
Gender Equality
Youth Equality
Racial Equality
SUMMARY OF BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
� Day 4: Job Shadowing with Stacey Jordan� BTI tour and interview with James Reece (Director of Education)
� Employability skills conversation
� Program information
� Accompanied Stacey to the courthouse to assist a student file a PFA for advocacy services
EDUCATIONAL SKILLS NEW HIRES
Administration: Bachelor’s degree in related field (Master’s
preferred)
•Staff Accountant and Fiscal Administrative Assistant: Associates Degree + 1-2 years experience
Education: Bachelor’s degree in related field +
years of experience
•Community Educator: Associate’s degree in social work
Counseling: Bachelor’s Degree in related field
(Master’s preferred)
•Bilingual
Legal: J.D. Degree and member of PA Bar
Association +3-5 years experience
•Advocates: Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work
SAFE HOUSE AND ENTRY LEVEL
Director of Residential Services: Bachelor’s Degree + 3-5 years
Hotline Counselor/Advocate: Associate’s Degree in related field
Children’s Advocate/Case Manager of Residential Services: Experience working with women and children
Entry Level Positions: $13-$19/hr
Housekeeping/Entry Level Safe House/Intake Hotline/Case manager/Counselor, Advocate/Community Educator/Admin Professional/Maintenance/Financial Admin
REQUIREMENTS AND BENEFITS OF NEW HIRES
Commitment to Safe Berks’ mission and core values
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills
Bilingual strongly encouraged
Basic computer skills
Motivated self-starter
Commitment to ongoing personal development and ability to think “outside the box.”
Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Retirement Plan, Paid Holidays
GREATEST ASSET
RESPECT EMPOWERMENT
DEDICATED EMPLOYEES!
HOPE
SAFETY EDUCATION
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZED
Microsoft Products Internet/Intranet Email Social Media:InstagramFaceBookLinkedIn
Software:Apricot for Records (Direct
Service Staff)Donor Database, Salsa
(Development)Fund Easy for fund
accounting (Financial)Movers (Surveys to clients)
GREATEST CHALLENGE
Funding/Resources
grants, community outreach
Staff turnover/retention
Retention committee
social committee (recognize events for staff, fun events once a month)
Lack of writing and oral communication skills of recent college graduates
SKILLS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN WORKPLACE
• Patience• Flexibility• Conversation• Collaborate• De-escalation strategies• Time Management• Commitment• Dependability• Technical literacy• Health/Safety• Problem Solving• Constructive Criticism• Self-Advocacy• Problem Solving• Critical Thinking
PROJECT ABSTRACTS
� Student Self-Evaluations (Portfolio)� Two separate checklists will be
utilized
� Writing to explain success � One: speaking and listening skills
during discussion/presentations
� Two: self-evaluations for essential workplace skills each week
� Literature Circles� Students will have different roles
while reading a novel (vocabulary finder, passage picker, discussion director, and summarizer.)
� Students will complete a culminating project in groups
� Students will evaluate their roles in the group focusing on conflict resolution and critical thinking skills in a final essay.
PROJECT ABSTRACT
� Student Self-Evaluation Checklists� PA Common Core Content Area Academic
Standards:1.5 Speaking and Listening Students present appropriately in formal speaking situations, listen critically, and respond intelligently as individuals or in group discussions.1.4 Writing Students write for different purposes and audiences. Students write clear and focused text to convey a well-defined perspective and appropriate content.� Academic Standards for Career Education and
Work:13.2 A. Identify effective speaking and listening skills used in a job interview.13.2 E. Explain, in the career acquisition process, the importance of the essential workplace skills/knowledge.
� Literature Circles� PA Common Core Content Academic Standards
Addressed:1.3 Reading Literature Students read and respond to works of literature—with an emphasis on comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and making connections among ideas and between texts with a focus on textual evidence.1.4 Writing Students write for different purposes and audiences. Students write clear and focused text to convey a well-defined perspective and appropriate content.� Academic Standards for Career Education and
Work:13.3 B. Career Retention and Advancement: Analyze the role of each participant’s contribution in a team setting.13.3 C. Explain and demonstrate conflict resolution skills: Constructive criticism, Group Dynamics, Managing/leadership, mediation, negotiation, problem solving