With help, teen-age mother succeeds
Nineteen-year-old Arvieda Fudge is
starting a new life, with the help of the Salisbury-Rowan Community Service Council.
BY NATASHA ASHE
SALISBURY POST |
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Every morning at 5:30, Fudge gets a head start on the day. Unlike most teenagers her age,
she not only gets herself dressed, fed, in preparation for whatever the day may throw her
way, but she also manages two small children. The young mother of 3-year-old Shania and
9-month-old Tajhshana packs a bag for both children, bathes and dresses them and gets all
three out of the house by 7:45 a.m.. That gives her time to walk the children to day care
and catch the city bus to work -- a temporary internship she landed through a Salisbury
nonprofit agency.
Fudge is the first participant to complete the Job Training Partnership Act's GED Limited
Internship Component. The Community Service Council operates the program for youth 16 to
21. The program, which began in July 1998, not only offers basic GED courses and tests but
also introduces participants with limited work experience to a 6-month paid internship to
enhance a skill or learn a trade.
Organizers hope the temporary employment teaches good work habits and exposes students to
the responsibilities that go with a job. Students must attend class to work and are paid
with funds issued by the Blanche and Julian Robertson Foundation, after a federally-funded
program ceased.
Job Training Director Joann Diggs and Case Manager Bryan Duncan provide counseling, find
employment and follow-up with participants of the program.
Eleven people are now enrolled in the GED part of the program, three having already
satisfied course requirements, including Fudge.
"We help people like Arvieda meet certain qualifications to be a part of the
internship component,'' Duncan said. "Some of the participants face a hard reality,
and obstacles are already against them. This program is good because it helps them take on
that responsibility. Our employers are also tolerant and help teach them a skill they can
use.''
Fudge leads a hectic life for any single mother, but left without a high school diploma
and job skills, she admits she couldn't offer them the life she wanted them to have.
"I knew working fast food wouldn't take care of them forever,'' says Fudge softly.
"My mother did a lot for me with my first baby, but with the second baby, I had to
learn responsibility.''
Fudge, who dropped out of school at 16, always wanted to be a good mother to her daughter,
Shania, and says being both student and mother was too difficult.
"It just got too hard being pregnant and going to school,'' Fudge says. "I was
sick a lot and missed a lot of days. I passed all my classes, but the school wouldn't
approve my absences.''
She worked on and off in various fast food restaurants, barely making enough for two
people. And when the teenager learned she was pregnant again, she knew without an
education or job skills she might not be able to get over the looming obstacles.
Every day, she regretted leaving school, and she knew she had to do something more to
support her two children.
Earlier this year, when Fudge read about Job Training's GED course and Internship program
offered through the Community Service Council, she promised herself: "I'm going to
finish school.''
And she has.
Fudge has not only passed her GED but has gone a step further by learning a skill in the
dry cleaning industry. She said she is excited about what life has to offer and doesn't
mind working five, sometimes six, days a week.
"I like it a lot,'' she said.
In six weeks, Fudge has learned three different jobs at Vogue Cleaners.
And her employer, Paul Woodson, has nothing but nice things to say.
"Arvieda has been a wonderful employee,'' said Woodson as he watches her press a
white cotton shirt to perfection. "I have high hopes for Arvieda, and I hope she
becomes a star. She has come a long way and is a fast learner.''
Woodson is no stranger to the Job Training program or hiring those who seem hard to
employ. Since he and his wife, Beth, bought Vogue Cleaners, he says he doesn't mind
helping the community.
"Rowan County and Salisbury have been good to us. We've been blessed and don't mind
helping others get started by teaching them a skill so they'll earn a decent wage. JTPA
offers an excellent program,'' Woodson said. "I've had several employees to come to
me from their program, and it has been nothing but positive. Some go on to do a good job
and start their own businesses. We've had a lot of success stories here.''
With help from the Service Council, Fudge has found a silver lining to the rain cloud that
hovered over her head for so long.
"They offer a nice program, and I got a nice job,'' Fudge said with a small smile.
"I'm glad I called them.''
Later, she hopes, she may even go on to college. |
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