community august 2009 9 MTC Works Provides Summer Employment for Youth in Columbia County Youth in Columbia County are working this summer with help from MTC Works. The program, funded largely by federal stimulus dollars, is helping about 75 local youth learn about different industries while earning a wage. In Vernonia, six youth and a supervisor are working on a crew at Stub Stewart State Park building trails; four are working with Vernonia Public Works; one is at the Vernonia School District; and three youth and a crewleader are working in Vernonia assisting seniors in completing projects in their yards and also assisting the Public Works Department with other projects around the community. Youth in Region One will be paid for more than 26,000 hours of their time at 70 work sites, earning more than $315,000-- a bill that local businesses won’t have to pay. Julie Gassner, director of the Astoria-based employment and training organization MTC Works, said 134 youth received the temporary jobs this summer because of $361,633 the agency received from the federal government as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to Gassner, finding entry-level jobs right now is very challenging for younger workers because of the unemployment rate in the state and county. “Had they not had this opportunity, they most likely wouldn’t have been able to go to work,” Gassner said. Approximately $175,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used in Columbia County to provide local youth with summer work. In addition, MTC Works received a grant for approximately $32,000 from the Oregon Youth Employment Initiative and $11,000 from a Marine grant through the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps. The $32,000 grant is being used for the six- person crew at Stub Stewart State Park in Vernonia and the $11,000 grant is for a 5-person crew on Sand Island near St. Helens. Allison McLeod is WFCU Employee of the Quarter Wauna Federal Credit Union has selected Allison McLeod as the employee of the quarter. McLeod always goes above and beyond when helping members and fellow employees. For example, she recently heard an employee mentioning weeds in the flower boxes in front of her branch. Instead of letting another employee work late, she immediately put on her gloves and headed out to do the job with the necessary tools (a wastepaper basket and screwdriver). By the time the other employee had asked where she was, McLeod had finished the job and finished it well. Employees have learned to count on her as she is always at work; she only used one sick day in four years. And when she arrives, she is armed and ready with a smile and a positive, professional appearance and attitude. McLeod is a great representation of “The Wauna Difference” service values put into action. The Employee of the Quarter is recognized at an all-team meeting, receives a gift basket of their personal favorite goodies and chooses between an extra paid day off or $100. Wauna Federal Credit Union is headquartered in Clatskanie, Oregon, and has branches in Astoria, Clatskanie, St Helens, Vernonia and Warrenton. Everyone in Clatsop or Columbia counties is eligible for membership. For more information, call our toll free number, 1.800.773.3236. Banks Christian Academy VERNONIA CPR & First Aid Training Now Enrolling Preschool through High School Students Affordable Tuition Excellent Education Do you Baby-sit, need it for work, church, Scouts or family? Choose from classes below Days, nights and weekends available Class sizes from one person to18 Larger groups can be accomodated Pricing varies based on class size Classroom available or at your location Shuttle from Vernonia Available 22785 NW Fisher Road Buxton, OR 97109 503-324-4500 Midway Veterinary Clinic Small and Large Animals Open in Vernonia Some people will do anything to help get a school bond passed. School Board Chair Kim Wallace rode in a shopping cart in the July 4th Parade in order to make a point. Jim Krahn - are you next? Wednesday & Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call for Appointments (503) 429-1612 Or 24 hr. Emergency Number (503) 397-6470 805 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR VHS Band Car Wash Members of the VHS Band held a car wash in July to raise money to help finish paying for their trip to Disneyland last spring. The students raised over $400 and are planning to hold another car wash on August 15 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Middle School Parking lot. CPR Classes Available • • • • • • • • • • • Healthcare provider HCP Includes Adult & Child AED Heartsaver CPR HS - Adult - Pediatric - Adult/Pediatric Heartsaver AED Adult - Adult & Pediatrics - Pediatrics only or CPR for Family and Friends - no testing required Heartsaver First Aid & Adult CPR & Adult AED Heartsaver First Aid & CPR Heartsaver First Aid Pediatric aid Local Vernonia Trainer Email or call to set up a class today: TeachingCPRNW@aol.com For more information contact: Randy Carlton 503-791-8309