The SAGE Club – A Successful TVR Youth Readiness Initiative
This past year, the Cheyenne and Arapaho American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Program (CAAIVR), in collaboration with the tribe’s 477 project, launched a groundbreaking youth work readiness initiative called DREAMS (Developing Responsible Employees Aptitude and Marketing Success). As part of this initiative, we developed the SAGE (Students Achieving Gainful Employment) Club, which is dedicated to creating a supportive environment for our tribal youth with disabilities and equipping them with essential job-related skills to prepare for and engage in the workforce.
The CAAIVR and DREAMS programs have committed to providing comprehensive training and supportive services for the SAGE Club. We established a partnership with a local high school’s Indian Education Office and began holding meetings at the school, specifically targeting tribal students with disabilities and other barriers to their success.
During our SAGE Club meetings, we offered training in resume writing, hard skills, soft skills, and interview techniques. In the spring, we expanded our efforts to include lessons in traditional entrepreneurship. This involved teaching students traditional crafts such as beading, hand drum making, and gourd making. The goal was to show them that these traditional crafts could become viable sources of income, empowering them to be self-sufficient if they chose to pursue this path.
At the end of the school year, we proudly hosted our first SAGE Club banquet, showcasing the students’ efforts and traditional projects. The SAGE Club has proven to be a great success for the CAAIVR program, helping us connect with students who desperately need our services. As a result, we have seen tremendous growth in our transition cases.
The positive impact of the SAGE Club on our tribal youth is clear. By providing them with the necessary skills and supports, we are helping them overcome barriers and achieve gainful employment. The CAAIVR program is proud of the progress we have made and we look forward to continuing our efforts to empower our tribal youth.
– Timothy Yeahquo (Cheyenne and Arapaho AIVR Program Director)
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