Pathfinders: Youth Workforce Development Conference April 23, 2009

Friday, April 24, 2009
Omni William Penn Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh
Conference hours - 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
Career Fair hours - 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Career Fair presented in conjunction with YouthLINK and Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center

Registration fees:
$85 - by March 31st
$95 - after March 31st and onsite

ACT48 credit available for continuing education.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Kenneth C. Gray is a national authority on high school and postsecondary career and technical education and the successful transition of youth into the workforce. He has published widely and is frequently quoted in the national press. Dr. Gray will speak on counseling teens in uncertain times with an emphasis on opportunities in technician and middle skilled occupations. He'll draw from the new edition of his book Getting Real: Helping Teens Find Their Future.

Lunch Keynote Speaker: Christopher T. Moore has been both a producer and host at WQED Pittsburgh since 1980. During his tenure he has been responsible for the production of shows dealing with topics of importance ranging from mentoring African-American youth to improving literacy. Moore is probably best known for his work on Black Horizons. The Emmy Award-winning series, which he co-produces and hosts, is the longest running minority affairs program on public television celebrating its 40th year in April 2008.

Featured Guest: Jan DeCoursey is a senior research specialist at Chapin Hall, Center for Children at the University of Chicago. She will provide two workshops on effective strategies for engaging employers and will lead the town hall meeting with experts from the Pittsburgh area. Her research interests include the influence of poverty and public systems on child and adolescent development and qualitative research methods. She is involved in studies to evaluate initiatives to improve the child welfare system and the educational experiences of children in public schools.

Youth Keynote Speaker: Jason Matthews first dabbled in starting his own business as a young boy in Los Angeles, earning money helping neighbors take their trash to the curb. He then made his way through Pitt on a basketball scholarship, earning a degree in economics while also distinguishing himself as the Panthers' all-time three-point scorer (259) and three-point percentage scorer (.457). After graduation, he worked as a financial planner for a Fortune 500 company and, in 1995, launched his own private real estate investment company. Today, he lives and works in Pittsburgh, where he continues to build and grow his business.

This event is made possible by the following sponsors: The youth track portion of the conference is funded by a generous grant from Allegheny County Department of Human Services. Conference sponsors include: UPMC, Jewish Healthcare Foundation, The Bank of New York Mellon, The Pennsylvania CareerLink Pittsburgh/Allegheny County, Family Resources, Hill House Association, NEED, Life’s Work, Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management, Wireless Neighborhoods and Kaplan Career Institute. The Youth Career Fair is funded by a generous donation from The Pennsylvania CareerLink Pittsburgh/Allegheny County.

Adult Track Workshops

o Going to the Next Level: Collaborating with Online Tools

o The 411 on Recruiting Youth through Social Internet Networking

o Using Technology Effectively for Instruction

o Strategies for Serving Youth Aging Out of the Foster Care System

o Improving Outcomes for Struggling Students

o How to Engage Effectively with Employers

o Mapping Youth Development Trends for the 21st Century

o Best Practices in Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

o Pennsylvania Career Standards for the 21st Century

o Using Logic Models Effectively for Grantwriting and Fundraising

o Matchmaking: What Employers Want & What Youth Can Deliver
with Resumes, Interviews and Job Readiness



Visit www.regonline.com/Pathfinders2009 to register online.
Credit card payments accepted.

For more information, contact Karen Bryant, Conference Coordinator,
412.952.9704, [email protected].

Official Website: http://www.regonline.com/Pathfinders2009