ARLINGTON — Joy Hall is tired of watching teenagers struggle to start careers, apply to school and find available resources.
As a financial specialist for the Smokey Point Community Services Office, she often deals with teens who don’t know what to do with their lives.
To help, she’s organized a Teen Fair with some of her co-workers.
At the fair next Wednesday, teens can speak with employers, learn about community organizations and eat free pizza.
“We are actually hoping that we can give youth recourses for life planning so … that they know there’s a lot more out there and so they don’t need to rely on public assistance,” Hall said.
Representatives from the Work Force Development Council, the military, Everett Community College, Cocoon House teen shelter and various apprenticeship programs are among those set to participate in the event. The Center for Career Alternatives, the Work Force Development Council, Planned Parenthood and Job Corps also plan to attend.
Filling out college applications, figuring out how to apply for apprenticeships and discerning the difference between various types of financial assistance can be overwhelming, Hall said. She said teens regularly come to her looking for help, but they often lack the skills and knowledge needed to make a plan for achieving their dreams.
Smokey Point Community Services handles welfare, food assistance and other aid programs as a branch of the Washington Department of Social and Health Services.
“A lot of people come in here and they think that we’ll help them go back to school and get their degrees, and it’s unfortunate, but it’s not going to happen,” she said. “The funding just isn’t there.”
Hall hopes the fair will connect teens with the resources they need to help themselves.
The event is 2 to 6 p.m. March 12 at the Arlington Boys &Girls Club, 18513 59th Ave. NE.
Door prizes are planned. Students may be able to get school credit for attending.
Reporter Kaitlin Manry: 425-339-3292 or kmanry@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
