2015 KGM COYOTE Newsletter Corrected Copy
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Transcript of 2015 KGM COYOTE Newsletter Corrected Copy
COYOTE KICK OFF 2015
Kick-off was the first chance for the youth to see what the Coalition Youth Team Summer Program is
all about. Jen Miles, Director of COYOTE Program, spoke to the youth about what they could expect
over the next seven weeks. She spoke about the many facets of work readiness that would help
them in the future such as: learning to complete applications, write resumes, dress properly, act
appropriately, interview, and how to keep a job. She assured the youth that this program was a step
forward in the right direction.
After introducing the rest of the staff, Miles handed the orientation over to Sandy Skousen, Program
Representative. Skousen reviewed the curriculum for Work Readiness, the COYOTE handbook and
the WEX Work Experience segment of the program. Skousen came into the COYOTE program late
last year as a Career Coach. This year, after learning all the ins and outs of the Program, she’s ready
to step up and take charge of the program in Kingman.
Skousen states “This program is fantastic and can do so
much for youth.”
Kingman Edition
The howler
Kingman| Page 2
Life Skills: Learning how to balance a budget.
Guest Speakers During the two-week Work Readiness training, the COYOTE
Summer Program hosted several guest speakers.
Seleena Fancher, Financial Sales Advisor, from BBVA Compass Bank
provided invaluable information on personal finances, budgets and
savings options. Tricia Hanks and Eli Johnston, Admissions
Counselors from Mohave Community College, presented material
on available programs, financial aid options, and other resources
available at MCC for the youth.
Role Play is an integral part of Work Readiness
Check It or wreck It One of the notable things taught to the
COYOTEs was drug safety. Patty Jacques
from Arizona Youth Partnership showed
them just how important drug safety is.
She informed the youth that drugs affect
your health, as well as your family and
friends. Part of the presentation included a
game called Check It or Wreck It where the
youth role play how to say no. With this
advice in mind these youth know that it is
better to be safe than sorry.
work readiness The Coalition Youth Team
(COYOTE) is an employment and
training program that has been
developed through Mohave
County’s One-Stop Career
Centers over the past ten years.
The program has a summer
component which provides
intensive work readiness and on
the job experience training for
youth 14 to 21 years of age.
COYOTE kicks off the youths’
start in the workforce through
responsibility, leadership, and
life skills.
This program also gives students
the opportunity and resources
to get ready for the workforce
and the real world.
Kingman| Page 3
Employer Discussion Panel
Another noteworthy event was the Employer Discussion Panel. People from a wide variety of
businesses talked briefly about their occupations and answered questions from the COYOTEs. Some
of these employers were: Stephanie Bleekman form North American Pipe, Rob Rennells from KRMC
Recruitment, Jared Skousen from Strictly Floors & More, Valerie Winters from Superior Court HR,
and Sarah Bolander and Jose Garcia, both from Mohave County Human Resources.
The Panel spoke to the COYOTEs about what to expect during interviews and on the job. They
discussed what they look for in employees, how they became interested in their occupations, and
obtained their jobs.
One of the questions asked was, “What do you look for in an employee?” The panel agreed that
most important is that the employee be respectful, punctual, focused, and hard-working.
Kingman| Page 4
white Cliffs Senior living Schyler Eikenbary was placed at White Cliffs
Senior Living as an Activities Assistant for
occupational skills training. Her work day
contains a variety of fun activities which include
baking cookies, calling Bingo, shooting pool,
playing board games, watching Major League
Baseball and whatever else the residents may be
inclined to try. One job duty that Eikenberry
loves is dancing. She states, “They [the residents]
sure love to dance!”
When asked if she envisioned working with the elderly in her future, now that she has had this
experience, she responded enthusiastically, “Yes, bringing smiles to all the residents’ faces and
keeping them happy is a wonderful feeling.”
Eikenbary heard good things about the COYOTE Program from some friends at her high school, so
she decided to go through the application process and was fortunate enough to be accepted. Her
work site supervisor, Michelle Taylor, White Cliffs Senior Living Activities Director, said that she chose
Eikenbary because she was highly social, upbeat, and energetic. That is the perfect personality for
this job. Taylor said, “I hope Schyler does pursue a career in this field as would be an excellent
Activities Director.”
Kingman| Page 5
M y C O Y O T E E x p e r i e n c e
I would like to say a little about myself. I have
struggled to find a job, because I don’t have work
experience. It took a couple months before I went to
the One-Stop. I was just so scared that they would be
like everyone else and not give me a chance to prove
myself. My experience was different. I talked to these
awesome ladies who saw something special in me,
and they helped me sign up for a program called
COYOTE.
Participating in the COYOTE Program has been the
best experience I have ever had. It has helped me in
many ways, such as writing resumes, learning about
interviews, and how to behave on the job. When I
first started, I was afraid because I liked it and did not
want to be kicked out, but I soon found the support
and guidance I needed to be successful. A very special
moment happened when I was out waiting for the
bus and a wonderful girl, who was also in COYOTE,
started a conversation with me. We formed an
instant connection, and she quickly became my best
friend.
For my work experience I was placed at the Western
Arizona Human Society. When I first got there I didn’t
want to answer phones or even talk to anyone, but
after three days I felt comfortable at the front desk. I
have learned how to be fast on my feet, how to help
with customer service, how to answer phones and
even learned how to take information and enter it in
the computer. I never knew that I could learn so fast!
For a little bit, all I would do is just work non-stop
until they ran out of things for me to do. They started
sending me to help with the animals. I learned a lot
about grooming puppies and how to handle dogs that
were out of control; I loved it. Now I’m no longer
scared. I have a confidence that I thought I would
never have and I know I can do anything and
everything that I put my mind to.
Thank you COYOTE for giving me a chance.
One of a Kind Dog Finds Full house A very special dog once started out at the
Western Humane Society. Staff named her
Cadence. As soon as I got to know her, I fell
in love with her. Her only fault was that she
did not get along with other dogs, so she
became our office buddy. One day a family
came in looking for a dog that was loving. “I
know exactly the right dog,” I told them. I
brought them up to meet Cadence. Right
away we all knew she belonged with that
family. It was the best feeling to get her
adopted. While I worked there, it was so
sad and nerve-racking for the animals
because we want all of them to go to a
home, but some just aren’t meant for it. I
do believe that all animals are meant to be
somewhere in life. We just never know
where.
Kingman| Page 6
Melanie Jean
was invited back
for a second
COYOTE
experience as a
result of her
positive attitude
and great
computer skills.
Her job
placement this
year could not
be more
different. While
last year she was
quietly restocking books on library shelves,
this year she is learning the ins and outs of a
noisy and very busy car dealership. She
answers the phone, transfers calls, pages staff
and has learned how to operate the cash
register.
Her favorite part of the job, she states, is
working with the customers. “I’ve learned
about all different types of personalities,” she
says. “The people keep my days interesting.”
Her supervisor, Jennifer Acton, financial
manager of Kingman Honda, has worked there
for over 15 years, working her way up from an
entry-level position. The Kingman Auto Group,
owner of Kingman Honda, is sponsoring and
mentoring COYOTE participants for the second
year in a row. They chose Melanie Jean above
several other youth who interviewed for the
position due to her professional demeanor and
good communication skills. Acton felt she was
the best fit for this challenging job.
“The people keep my
days interesting.”
Kingman Chevrolet & Buick returns as a 2015
COYOTE Summer Program sponsor. This year
Dustin Smith was selected to work with
Jeanette Christensen, the Business Office
Manager of Kingman Chevrolet & Buick, as an
office assistant.
Christensen feels the COYOTE program is an
amazing opportunity. She stated, ‘’There’s not
many youth programs that give young people
the training and experience they need to enter
the job market.’’
Dustin Smith, a returning COYOTE, was open to
taking on different challenges and learning
something new. In this placement, he is
working on reports for cars, answering phones,
and filing paperwork for cars which have been
sold. Smith stated, “sometimes the work can be
really challenging, like today, but on other days,
it can be easy and fun.”
Smith and Christensen both love cars and have
many of the same interests. They enjoy talking
because of their similar attitudes. Smith is
thrilled to learn as much as possible and get
more experience to prepare himself for a full-
time job.
Pleasing Customers at Kingman honda
Opportunities for Success
Kingman| Page 7
Tina Schutte, Director of the Lily Pad Daycare Center, cares for and teaches the children, now with help
from her COYOTE, Yaneli Gutierrez.
Schutte has worked at the center for over 20 years, and anticipates she
will work there for 20 more years. She enjoys seeing the children grow
and learn. “Every day brings changes,” she says. Taking Gutierrez
under her wing was natural extension for Schutte, who has a passion
for teaching.
Gutierrez applied for the Coalition Youth Team Summer Program after
one of her friends mentioned it. She completed the two-week work
readiness component and was placed for her work experience at the
Creative Care’s Lily Pad Daycare Center, a long-time COYOTE partner.
Gutierrez mentioned that she is learning how to properly
communicate with people. When she is talking to children, she is more
positive in her tone of voice and learns to speak clearly to them. She
takes what she learns at Lily Pad and uses these speaking skills to be
more social around people. She can use this skill to sound more
positive when interviewing or speaking to others in general.
Even after retiring from 30 plus years in the food industry, Jim Mixon,
Nutritional Services Lead at Kingman Regional Medical Center, can’t stay
out of a kitchen. Mixon retired from Kingman Regional Medical Center.
This summer Mixon is mentoring Shikitha Lucero from the Coalition
Youth Team Summer Program.
Mixon is a huge supporter of giving the youth a chance to work and
show what they are capable of accomplishing. The importance of
providing excellent customer service and delicious food to facility
residents, employees, and/or patrons is what Mixon stresses to Lucero.
”If I can make someone’s day better by serving them hot delicious food,
then I’ve done my job,” says Mixon.
Assigned to do kitchen prep for the KRMC Nutrition Services
department Lucero enjoys her co-workers and the many customers in
the cafeteria. If she’s not in the kitchen slicing cheese and cold cuts for
sandwiches, you’ll probably find her in the bakery. She wants to learn as
much about culinary arts as possible since this is the kind of work is that
she is aiming to do in the future.
Things are hopping at the lily Pad Daycare
Culinary Arts at KrMC
Kingman| Page 8
Amira Al-Moussawi learned in Work Readiness that when
you say you are “willing to do anything,” you really need to
back it up. In her case this included holding animals while
the veterinarian gives them a dose of medicine, observing
operations to help as needed, clipping nails, even enduring a
few bites or scratches while trying to keep them calm.
Liz Dahlin, A Veterinarian Technician at Cerbat Cliffs Animal
Hospital, acknowledges that Al-Moussawi is doing wonderful
at her job and learns more daily. Al-Moussawi feeds and
grooms the animals and takes the dogs out into the side yard
for an exercise session. She says, “The most exciting thing is
bathing all the dogs.” More mundane, but necessary, tasks
include filing paperwork on the animals being treated.
Al-Moussawi and Dahlin share a love of animals and as a
natural outgrowth, both love their jobs caring for animals.
After eight years with the Cerbat Cliffs, Dahlin is confident in
her position, saying, “It’s my dream job!” She enjoys building
trust and interacting with animals and making them well. She
notes, “Many kids today have a difficult time getting a job
and the COYOTE Program really helps them get a feel for
what will be expected on the job.”
willing to do Anything
Unique Opportunity TJ Bagby-Baptista is currently working under Nikole White’s supervision at UniSource Energy Services.
White states that Bagby-Baptista is enjoyable to be around and extremely ambitious. She says he
makes progress daily and absorbs knowledge like a sponge. White has been with UniSource for 12
years and enjoys the everyday challenges she faces.
Bagby-Baptista works for UniSource Energy Services
in a couple capacities. He works in the office doing
reports on the computer, and sometimes goes out
and helps read the meters. He really enjoys going
out in the field, observing the staff as they do
routine jobs and troubleshoot, and learning new
things.
“It’s my dream job!”
Kingman| Page 9
Medical Supplies Delivered Just in Time Alana Edgecomb literally runs around the Kingman
Regional Medical Center (KRMC) with the Central
Supply Department providing medical personnel with
the exact supplies they need at the precise moment
they need them. She said, “We deliver everything from
Band-Aids to body bags.” Edgecomb added that she has
not been required to deliver a body bag yet, but did
witness a cardiac arrest. When a Code Blue is
announced Central Supply dispatches an emergency
cart with an assortment of equipment and medication.
Central Supply staff then remains on site to account for all the supplies used from the cart and ensures
they are replaced. She said it made her want to cry, but it was exhilarating at the same time. The supply
clerk position has peaked Edgecomb’s interest, and she plans to apply for a permanent position with the
hospital.
Edgecomb’s supervisor Tanya Watson, Central Supply Supervisor, values that Alana loves to keep busy.
“She often asks me what else she can do when we don’t have a delivery scheduled.” KRMC has been a
COYOTE Program partner right from the start so Watson has extensive experience in managing and
mentoring young people.
Assembling Customized Computer Systems Robert Pope, Kingman Unified School District information
technician manager, and his team selected Patrick Lindsay for
the coveted position of Information Technology (IT) assistant.
Lindsay builds computers from scratch including motherboard,
capture cards, and memory units. The team travels to different
schools installing the computers, networking, and loading
software. Lindsay is in his element and is enthusiastic about the
his summer experiences.
Pope has been a COYOTE mentor for three years, taking youth
under his wing and teaching them what he loves about his job.
This includes installing new programs on the computers,
rebooting network problems, and just making the computer
function faster and smoother.
Lindsay is a great problem solver. This job opportunity was
perfect for him and he feels this could possibly be the career
path he would like to pursue in the future.
Kingman| Page 10
Dave Sanders, a Work Readiness Instructor for the
Mohave County Community Services One-Stop Career
Center Coalition Youth Team Summer Program, heads
up the Hualapai Mountain Park Green Team. The
COYOTE Green Team consists of Justin Canter, Tyler
Rotenbury, and Ty Walker. These three have learned
many things while on the job such as being
dependable, cooperative, and honest.
Sanders and the team work on trimming trees and
bushes, tearing down old sheds, picking up trash,
and clearing the trails and walkways. They are also
hoping to be able to help build a new shed after
demolishing the old wood shed which stood for
about 70 years. The youth learned about basic
property management skills, landscaping, and how
to use various tools which will benefit them at
future jobs or in home ownership.
Maintaining Structure at hualapai Mountain Park
COYOTE Gabe Bolt was assigned to work with Beth Cordes, Equipment & Fleet Parts Coordinator with Mohave County Fleet Services. Bolt is interested in anything that has to do with vehicles so sorting and inventorying parts was right up his alley. Cordes says that the county must keep inventory on hand to fix anyone of the vehicles in the fleet, which includes cars, dump trucks, bull dozers, water trucks and chip spreaders. That is a lot of parts!
Sorting Parts at the Motor Pool
Nate Dykeman has a great opportunity to be a part of the
Mohave County Treasurer’s Office for five weeks this summer.
SueAnn Mello, administrative assistant for the office has
undertaken the challenge of teaching Dykeman basic office
protocol for billing and payments as well as sorting documents
and filing tax invoices.
Dykeman was uncertain what to expect in his role of office
assistant, but so far he really enjoys the work. Mello stated,
“Our office staff is like family.”
“Dealing with the public, especially unhappy people is one of the difficult things in this particular
career,” Mello said. It is important to keep a smile on your face because keeping people happy is
our goal every day. Dykeman can see himself in an office setting later in life.
Keeping a Smile on Your Face
Tina Wyre, Office Assistant at the Mohave County Recorder’s
Office, in addition to her myriad of duties has agreed to mentor
COYOTE participant, Nicholas Gross. She said, “Nicholas is a
wonderful addition to our office. We love how quickly he grasps
concepts and efficiently completes his assigned tasks.”
Processing correspondence is just a part of his daily routine.
With a high level of confidence in her COYOTE, Wyre delegates
routine bookkeeping tasks, such as entering payments, totaling
tax bills, and filing reports.
Gross said that he knew halfway through the interview that this would be the place for him and
has not been disappointed. He definitely sees himself working in an office environment as part of
his career path and is enjoying his accounting experience.
Wyre, a long-term Mohave County employee, is constantly on the lookout for ways to learn more
about accounting herself. The Recorder’s Office has been a loyal supporter of the COYOTE Program
from its inception and Wyre states that it gives young people the opportunity to learn about the
process of getting and keeping a job. Working with people is the facet of her job that Wyre enjoys
most and she says, “Teaching young people how to be good employees and giving them a taste of
the world of work is a wonderful feeling.”
Tallying Tax Bills at the Mohave County recorder’s Office
Kingman| Page 12
Chris Forit, Head Chef at the Gardens Rehab
& Care Center, is responsible for preparing all
the menus delivered to their dining room. He
enjoys the work very much and, as is
demonstrated by the photographs, has a big
personality.
The COYOTE assigned to the Gardens has
helped in preparing food, setting tables for
meals, and interacting with residents. He also
served food and drinks to the residents and
did kitchen clean up.
what’s Cooking at the Gardens?
Beatrice VanZant, Activities Director, also
at the Gardens, agreed to mentor a
COYOTE this summer as well. VanZant
creates the daily schedule of activities as
well as coordinates participation by the
residents. They offer exercise classes,
walks (or in some cases wheelchair
escorts) around the block if the weather is
good, outings to restaurants or movies
and park excursions. There are also
games, Bingo and cards for times when
the residents are less energetic. The
residents responded very positively to the
COYOTE Activities Assistant and he says it
is like having a whole bunch of new
grandparents.
Exercise and Outings with Gardens residents
Chris Forit with COYOTE Blayne Deakin
Beatrice VanZant
Kingman| Page 13
Banita Curtis, Dietary Manager for Creative Care’s Lingenfelter
Center for Alzheimer’s Care was given a difficult decision this
year by the COYOTE youth program. She interviewed five
individuals for a position as a kitchen assistant. Several of the
youth who interviewed professed a love of cooking or a passion
for food. However, one young man stood out as truly having the
desire expand his experience in the kitchen. The enthusiasm
and positive attitude he brought to the interview secured the
job he wanted most.
Curtis is responsible for all the dietary needs of the center
residents and she relies on the COYOTE for preparation work
such as slicing vegetables, peeling potatoes, etc. Given her
COYOTE’s sense of responsibility and keen interest in the work,
Curtis allowed him to do some of the actual cooking.
The COYOTE reports he has had a totally positive work experience. He enjoys food preparation,
cooking and his co-workers. He is considering a career in the food service industry.
A Passion for learning and Food
Kingman| Page 14
June 15th 2015 marked the beginning of the Work Experience portion of
the COYOTE Summer Youth Program. After interviewing nine different
candidates, Kate McNally, the Media Team Leader, narrowed the field
down to three. Ryan Gross, Isaac Hernandez and Taylor Sindon were
selected to work as Media Team Assistants. It’s the Media Team’s job
to visit every worksite and interview the COYOTEs and their
supervisors, and with over 40 employer-partners and over 60 youths,
they had their work cut out for them.
The Media Team went out into the field to document the experience of all
the youths applying their new life skills, knowledge and time management
techniques on the jobsite. “One of the great things about being on the
Media Team is that we get a taste of what everyone else is doing,” said
McNally.
Since there are three cities in
the program and three
COYOTEs on the Media Team,
each one took responsibility
for conducting interviews,
writing newsletter articles and
selecting pictures for the
yearbook. Other job
assignments such as
photographer, cameraman,
reporter, archivist and
interviewer were rotated based
on who was responsible for
that city.
COYOTE Media Team
Kingman| Page 15
Taylor Sindon says, “I was really
interested in a position on the Media
Team but I was nervous because I am
somewhat shy. This summer I came out of
my shell and did things that I never
thought I could do, like video interviews,
write stories and do layout design.”
Ryan Gross has
his sights set on
an office job and
wanted a
summer job that
would give him
various clerical
type skills. He
said, “This was a
challenge but
definitely gave
me what I was
looking for.”
Isaac Hernandez stepped out of his comfort
zone in a big way to do the interviews, writing
and social interaction necessary for the
Medial Team job. “I enjoyed the experience
but it is not something that I envision myself
doing in the future,” he says.
Kingman| Page 16
KINGMAN COMPrEhENSIVE ONE-STOP
700 West Beale Street
Kingman, AZ
(928) 753-0723
workforce.mohavecounty.us
coyote.mohavecounty.us
COYOTE The Coalition Youth Team (COYOTE) is an
employment and training program, developed
through Mohave County’s One-Stop Career
Centers over the past ten years.
The program has a summer component which
provides intensive work readiness and on the job
experience training for youth 14 to 21 years of
age.
COYOTE kicks off the youth’s start in the
workforce through responsibility, leadership, and
life skills.
This program also gives students the opportunity
and resources to get ready for the workforce and
the real world.
O n e - S to p C a re e r
C e n t e r s
The One-Stop system provides services
to everyone who is seeking assistance in
their job search. More intense support
and training services are available to
those who are eligible under certain
federal and state programs.
These programs target numerous
populations including dislocated or laid-
off workers, affected by the downsizing
or closure of their companies. Other
persons with a priority of service are
veterans, disabled workers, public
assistance recipients and out of school
youth.
Mohave County One-Stop Career Center is an equal opportunity employer and provider of employment and training services.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to persons with disabilities.