CAP Employment Program is a Winner

Eric Gross

CAP coordinators Jessica Grainger (left) and Judy Callahan (second left) with Rita Ann Sharples of Putnam Valley and business owner Margaret Rizzuto (right) at the reception. Eric Gross The Putnam Community Action Program (CAP) has been assisting the less fortunate for years by providing food, clothing, and holiday gifts.

Now, CAP has ventured into the world of employment, also with fantastic results.

CAP's executive director, Judy Callahan, sat down with the PCN&R last week to talk about the 2009 Summer Youth Program that was lauded at a get-together at the CAP office in Brewster when employers were thanked for their efforts.

Callahan explained that participants in the governmentfunded programs ranged in age from 14 to 24: "While CAP administered the two programs, one served teens aged 14 through 18 and a second program consisting of stimulus funds allowed us to provide jobs for young adults up to age 24."

In past years only a dozen teens were served, but in 2009 the numbers increased dramatically.

Callahan said CAP staff met with the applicants on an individual basis and discussed personal interests and goals: "We matched the applicant with a job that we thought they would not only enjoy but benefit from. The success was great since in several cases continued employment has resulted."

Rita Ann Sharples of Oregon Hardware in Putnam Valley agreed: "The Summer Youth Program is a win-win. The employee gets a chance to join the workforce and the employer gets to train and employ someone without investing money. The situation is more relaxed because the boss can spend more quality time training since he or she is not worrying about the 'return on investment.'"

Sharples said her situation even resulted with the opportunity to retain a "valuable employee" when the program reached its conclusion.

Other participants included Deborah MacLeod of Deb's Hair Design in Cold Spring; Gillian Thorpe of the Julia Butterfield Library in Cold Spring; Paul Kuznia of the Taconic Outdoor Educational Center in Philipstown; William Haight of N&S Supply in Fishkill; Elsie Matteo of the Putnam County Finance Department; and Sheila Mealey of the Tilly Foster Farm in Southeast.