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It began as a normal school day in June 2002 for 15-year-old Taneka. But by noon the day had gone horribly wrong. Bullying by another student turned violent and what would usually be classified a school fight was escalated to an aggravated assault charge against Taneka. Fortunately, she served no time and was given four years probation.
Five years later, she is a student at Point Park University with a job as a nurse's aide at Presbyterian Hospital.
“I’m getting away from the stereotype that if you’re from a certain area, you have to be a certain way,” says Taneka who was raised in the projects of Pittsburgh’s Hill District. She is now a second-year participant in the Urban Youth Empowerment Program (UYEP) administered by Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. She did so well with the program that she was asked to be a certified mentor to other UYEP students.
UYEP is a career preparation initiative for at-risk, out-of-school, and adjudicated young men and women between 18 and 24. UYEP delivers the educational assistance, job training, employment experience, and personal development coaching essential for building successful careers.
Taneka's first order of business at UYEP was to have that 2002 incident expunged from the record. “My UYEP counselor was vital in helping me obtain my expungement,” says Taneka. “Without the expungement, I wouldn’t be able to move forward with my life.”
For Taneka moving forward means graduating with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Point Park University where she is a junior; and then earning her master’s degree and a juris doctor. Taneka ultimately wants to become a juvenile court judge.
“Before I came to UYEP I was confused and didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I was kind of immature. I needed guidance,” recalls Taneka. “Now I’m more into my schoolwork, I have more self-confidence and I’m getting to know people.” |
Fifty-three-year-old Alphonso was forced to close his business in 1999 after Wood Street had been shut off to traffic for six weeks. He turned his convenience store into a convenience stand elsewhere downtown, and kept it going for two years before the constant threat of thieving youngsters made him give up. Off and on for the next five years he was a jitney driver. Finally at the end of his rope, the now 61-year-old Alphonso applied to the Mature Worker Program at the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.
“When I arrived at the Mature Worker Program I was cocky, mad, down and depressed,” says Alphonso. “Mr. Brown listened to me carefully. Then he told me something I’ll never forget: ‘It’s hard to accept change, but when you accept it, you move on.’ …He was right.”
Rodney Brown, director of the Mature Worker Program at the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, made a difference. “Mr. Brown genuinely cares,” says Randolph. “Sometimes you can tell if a person is just doing their job or if they are doing their job to help you. Mr. Brown helped me.”
Once in the Mature Worker Program, Alphonso was sent to Bidwell Training Center for a year to learn office and computer skills. He uses those skills today as the administrative assistant at the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation (MWCDC), where he earns $9 an hour and has full medical benefits. Alphonso also manages the energy assistance programs at MWCDC.
“This program helps you help yourself. It uplifted my spirits, and gave me patience, understanding and determination, says Alphonso. “I appreciate the stability of my job. The work we do at Mt. Washington is important. I’m a part of helping make this community better. That makes me happy.”
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