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Gaining Real Life Experience: Marrakech’s Elm City Entrepreneur Program Strives To Empower New Haven Youths

Work/Learn Initiative Offers Hands-On Job Training, Youth Coaching, and Educational Support to Program Participants

WOODBRIDGE, CT— Marrakech, a non-profit organization that provides a wide range of educational, employment and housing programs and services to children and adults throughout Connecticut, is providing youths in the greater New Haven area that are currently in or transitioning out of foster care or who are on probation, with essential life and work skills through a program called Elm City Entrepreneurs (ECE), a Work/ Learn initiative.

Elm City Entrepreneurs, which operates at Marrakech’s Work/Learn Center located at 526 Whalley Avenue in New Haven, is funded by two different programs within the state of Connecticut: The Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Court Services Support Division (CSSD). The program provides a wide array of services including hands-on job training, youth coaching, tutoring and internship opportunities to participants ages 14-21. Each of the program participants must be able to function independently with minimal supervision in the community as well as within peer groups at the center.

Every youth who participates in the ECE program has the opportunity to join an on-site youth business, where they will have the opportunity to experience a particular business while enhancing their skills and earning a stipend. Participants are encouraged to save a portion of their stipend and put it towards the purchase of an asset such as housing, education, or a vehicle, which will be matched up to $1,000 per year.

Currently, there are a variety of programs being offered in several areas including: multimedia, jewelry making, basket weaving and caning, and web design.

The businesses run in six to ten week cycles and offer at least four businesses for participants to choose from.  It is during this time that the youth learn valuable employment skills such as punctuality, accountability, listening to and following directions, and working with peers and business leaders. Guest speakers from local businesses and volunteers from professional organizations provide participants with a unique and personalized perspective. Additionally, a creative writing course and Casey Life Skills groups are offered to all youth, focusing on communication, social relationships, financial literacy, work and study skills, career planning, and work life. On-site tutoring is available for those with an educational goal.

“We strive to provide the youth with every opportunity to learn the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in their futures by lending them vocational, educational, and personal support during their challenging and formative teenage years,” said Gerry Zarra, director of Workforce Development at Marrakech. “Each youth is respected and supported as they begin making the decisions that will impact them in the years to come.”

After a youth has participated in the youth business program, he or she may be promoted to a higher level within a youth business or be recommended for an internship where they will gain even further experience. Once they have successfully completed an internship, he or she may begin to look for community employment. The participant will work one-on-one with the ECE job developer to find employment. The job developer will provide assistance with filling out job applications and job interview strategies. Once the youth attains employment, he or she will be responsible for maintaining the job, although the job developer and youth coach will be available for support if needed.

For media passes and interviews, please contact Debbie Koke at (914) 536-7557 or Debbie@horizonmarketing.com

About Marrakech:

Marrakech, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of human services to children & adults throughout Connecticut. Founded in 1971, Marrakech established the first halfway house in Connecticut for women with mental retardation. They have continued developing programs and services which are located throughout the State of Connecticut encompassing support to people with a wide range of disabilities, families with complex needs, youth who are at risk, and people without disabilities who are economically disadvantaged.

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