The Trafigura Work & Learn Business Center, a joint venture among the Trafigura Foundation, The WorkPlace Inc., and Domus, is a youth employment program comprised of several youth-run businesses. Working alongside professionals, youth are paid while they learn vital hard and soft skills which help them get and keep jobs. The program is located at the Domus Community Center on Stamford’ East Side, which opened in 2009, and is based on successful model that’s been implemented around the state since 1996.
The program’s target population is Stamford youth aged 14 to 25 at high risk for gang activity and/or homelessness. In Year 1 (starting Fall 2010) 48 participants will move through three business units; the center will expand as soon as a $100,000 funding match is found for the Trafigura Foundation’s challenge grant. The first two businesses are bike repair and small engine repair; likely expansions include culinary arts, boatbuilding, green jobs, and woodworking.
The program is staffed by skilled professionals who have vocational and teaching skills but are also trained to deal with behaviors of struggling youth; there is a significant focus on building trusting relationships with youth. Targets are set around gaining soft skills (being prompt, shaking hands, etc.) as well as vocational skills, improving employability skills, and securing and retaining jobs.
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Photos by Rich Freeda
Domus Executive Director Mike Duggan with Trafigura Foundation Board Chair Graham Sharp, Trafigura AG Stamford office Director Rich Fromme, and Domus Board Chair Steve Baker.
L to R: Joe Carbone (The WorkPlace, Inc.), Mario Sarro (Domus), Lt. Gov. Mike Fedele, Graham Sharp (Trafigura Foundation), former Stamford mayor Dan Malloy, Congressman Jim Himes, Mike Duggan (Domus), Rich Fromme (Trafigura AG), and Mitch DePino (Domus) cut a bike tube (instead of a ribbon) to officially open our new youth-run business center.
Click here to read about Joe, a Work & Learn success story!
Trafigura Work & Learn Business Center
