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New painting program teaches youths a trade

Hands-on lessons are part of Welfare-to-Work programs for problem children to learn skill, get pride

Web posted May 2, 1998

By Jan Skutch
Morris News Service

SAVANNAH -- Linzer King operates a painting business -- for a profit. These days, that business is taking second place to another task -- giving youths with problems a chance to become productive citizens.

Mr. King, in concert with the city of Savannah and SeaCoast Workforce Development Board, is giving 16 youths hands-on lessons in how to paint as part of the Welfare-to-Work program.

The goal: full-time jobs paying as much as $10 to $15 an hour.

In addition to painting expertise, these youths will also learn the ropes of carpentry -- splitting the 13-week course between the two. And each will be certified as lead abatement specialists -- a field with strong demand, Mr. King said.

``This program really gives them something that a lot of adults don't have at this time,'' he said. ``And it gives them a skill we didn't have when we were coming up.''

The young people Mr. King is working with have barriers to getting jobs -- some have juvenile records, have dropped out of high school or are already parents themselves.

Kerry Harrell, assistant planner at SeaCoast, said the program provides youths between ages 16 and 21 with training and classwork for 32 hours each week. They are paid $5.50 an hour.

Sixteen youths started out. Thirteen are expected to complete the course, she said. Of those, 10 should get training-related jobs.

The program is operated by Job Training Unlimited, under contract with SeaCoast.

Marcus Givens, 18, is learning how to paint and how to be at work and be productive.

Mr. Givens is in the program after problems with juvenile authorities led him there.

He has completed his General Educational Development to earn his high school equivalency diploma, but is the father of two.

``The program has helped me a lot,'' Mr. Givens said. ``I make it to work every day.''

His previous work involved construction in Pooler, but lasted less than a month when transportation problems interfered.

Mr. King, the father of three sons, says his purpose is to give something back to the youth that he didn't have.

``It motivates the kids to know how to get to work on time, to be responsible,'' he said.