Kokomo Tribune; Kokomo, Indiana

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March 14, 2010

Program teaches life skills

St. Joseph hired 5 graduates of last year’s course.

By Ken de la Bastide

For a second year, St. Joseph Hospital is joining St. Vincent Health’s job readiness program that prepares people to obtain employment.

The STAR Intensive Job Readiness Program started in 2009, with 18 people taking part in the eight-week program. Eight were from Howard County, and five obtained a job with the local hospital.

Cindy Babb, executive director of human resources, said those accepted into the program learned life preparation and job skills.



AT A GLANCE

The STAR Intensive Job Readiness Program prepares participants for employment. Those interested in the program must:

• Be at least 18 years old.

• Have no criminal convictions in the last five years.

• Pass a physical, including a drug and TB test.

• Have completed the 10th grade.

The application deadline is March 26. For more information, call Cindy Babb at 765-456-5402.



The skills include how to manage a budget and how to purchase a car, resume writing and interview skills.

Babb said participants spend two weeks in Indianapolis for extensive classroom training, then participate in a six-week mentoring program at the hospital.

“The program prepares them to work anywhere,” Katy Young, president of St. Joseph Hospital, said. “It teaches how to work, act and speak, and there are mock interviews. It helps them present themselves as a professional.”

Young said it is a disciplined approach to learning job skills. At the Indianapolis sessions, the door is locked to the classroom. Those arriving late miss the session.

“It’s an eye-opening experience for some of them,” she said.

Participants also have to learn public speaking. Young said presentations are required to the hospital’s board of directors and committees.

“It teaches them self-respect and gives them confidence,” she said. “They are worthy of good things happening in their life. There is this sense of, I can do it.”

St. Vincent Health pays for lodging and meals while the participants are in Indianapolis. A stipend is provided during the mentoring portion of the program at the local hospitals.

Young said St. Vincent also provides clothing for the participants to wear to an interview through a donation program.

The STAR program is being expanded from 18 to 28 people in 2010.

Young said those completing the program are given first consideration when employment opportunities are available at St. Joseph Hospital.

“There are people re-entering the work force and people having difficulties finding a job,” she said of the selected participants.

Last year, there were participants from the Kokomo Rescue Mission and Open Arms women’s shelter, Babb said.

She said participants are matched with regular associates of the hospital during the mentoring program.

“Our staff got as much from the program as the participants,” Young said. “They took away as much as they gave.”

The program is open to anyone above the age of 18. People interested in the program can’t have a conviction for a criminal offense in the past five years. They must pass a physical, including a drug and TB test, and have completed the 10th grade in high school.

The deadline for submitting an application for the 2010 STAR program is March 26. For more information or to request an application, call Babb at St. Joseph Hospital, at 765-456-5402. 

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