Hello everybody!

    My name is Dason Avery. I am a new intern in the Jewish Community Center’s marketing department, responsible for this new article. Myself, along with my fellow interns, are currently part of a program called the Partnership for Achievement through Vocational Experience (or P.A.V.E.), in which we learn different skills for jobs, as well as how to navigate said jobs.

     This program pairs us with job sites and departments where we can learn these skills, as well as apply both old and new skills we may have, all to gain experience with how a job works. Each participant is placed in a position that suits their interests, abilities, and career goals while also allowing for the opportunity to explore a variety of career areas. In addition to all of what is learned on the job, participants receive daily instruction on employment and related skills.

    Now, you may be wondering why P.A.V.E. is partnered with the JCC. First, it is in the area. The P.A.V.E. program is situated at Chapel Haven Schleifer Center, two-and-a-half miles down Whalley Avenue. One of the things that Chapel Haven is focused on is the need for diversity in the community around them, and by giving various businesses and organizations exposure to neurodivergent people,  everyone can learn how to work and interact with each other. This focus also extends to P.A.V.E. and the workplace.

Secondly,  Chapel Haven utilizes the JCC for different classes or events, so there was a standing relationship there. With such a good rapport already, the P.A.V.E. program and the JCC decided to work together and form a joint partnership. The program provides interns to help with work that needs to be done in the different departments, and the JCC provides the opportunity to learn something new and be part of an organization. 

    I was paired with the marketing team here at the JCC. This was in part due to my hobbies, including art, research, organizing,  video recording/editing, and writing/editing. I want to be able to use some of my hobbies and skills to help with my work here at the JCC. I am really looking forward to seeing and working with the various people here, as well as the different tasks in the marketing department. By the end of my year at P.A.V.E., I hope to have the necessary skills and experience to be able to get a job. Something like content creation or writing/editing articles and stories. A job that would allow me to utilize my more creative tendencies, much like this article you are currently reading, all the while allowing me time for college.

    Next up, we have Denis. He will be working in Membership Services. Denis enjoys working in I.T. He has 3 years of experience in the matter, and earnestly looks forward to doing more work with it here at the JCC. Some of the things he did while a computer analyst were fixing issues, setting up the technology needed for meetings, and maintenance in server rooms. It wasn’t just a job, but something he truly enjoyed doing. He hopes to do some of that work here as well. One of the tasks he’ll be doing here include tours. He’ll be guiding people around and answering their questions about the JCC. Much like myself, Denis is hoping to be able to use whatever skills and experience he gains here to get a job after P.A.V.E. is over. He hopes to get another job as an I.T. guy, doing some of what he did before.

    Last but not least, Owen, who will be assisting in the Sports and Rec Department. He has a lot of knowledge about various athletics and sports. He enjoys playing basketball, soccer and tennis, as well as working out. Owen will be working with various people in the department, and is looking forward to doing the many jobs there. He hopes to be prepared for a future in either the workplace or college after P.A.V.E. Owen’s not sure yet where he’s going to be, or what he’s going to do, but he’ll figure it out as time goes on.

    Thanks to both the P.A.V.E. program and the JCC, all three of us will get the chance to learn and grow our skills and experience. Whether we go directly into work, school, or both, we will have the experience necessary to succeed in future endeavors. Who knows, maybe we’ll even run into some of you while we are here!