On the Job Ministries puts youth to work

Takara Owens sorts through clothing  at New To You

By Jessica Chetney
and Jessica Goodridge
BengalNews Reporters

         Many West Side organizations focus on helping residents find employment in today’s troubling economy.

And then there’s On the Job Ministries (OTJ)

This organization primarily focuses on providing jobs for young adults, ages 16-24.

"We have some students who are still in high school, who work after school and on Saturdays," said Rebecca Ballard, assistant director of OTJ Ministries. "We usually have between two to three after school positions. They often come from Lafayette, McKinley, and other local high schools."

The ministries have created three small local businesses to help lower unemployment rates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Buffalo-Niagara region’s unemployment rate is at 8.4 percent.

These small local businesses are New To You, Soapworks, and Westside Wheels located at 289 Grant St.

" I think there’s a need for more organizations like this," Ballard said. "There’s definitely a need, not only for things to do, but I like that we are offering them a job and are actually paying them while they are training. There are some job organizations that give you the training, but you don’t necessarily get a paycheck."

They also work with social services through the Placing Individuals in Vital Opportunity Training program (PIVOT) to provide jobs for people who are on cash assistance as well.

Rebecca Ballard of On the Job Ministries discusses recruitment:

Soapworks, one of the businesses created by OTJ Ministries, is a natural blend of rich oils and aromatic fragrances produced on the West Side at the Lafayette Presbyterian Church.

"We work with the young women to teach them how to make the soap, how to package it, and how to market it," Ballard said. "We also go to craft fairs during the holidays to sell our soap. It gets our name out there."

Kierra Pierre, warehouse coordinator at the New To You shop, is just one example of how life changing this program is.

Pierre started her journey with OTJ Ministries as a high school student working at Soapworks.

" It was a struggle for sure," said Rose Gandy, her co-worker and store manager at New To You. " It is really difficult in this neighborhood honestly, because they have so many friends. It was interesting to see how she stood up and said, ‘I need to do this for myself’. " 

Pierre has been working with OTJ Ministries for four years now and is making plans for a bright future.

"She’s very talented. She has matured astronomically," Gandy said.

          "It’s a great program to help develop your skills," Pierre said. "I want to go to college for business management and hopefully open my own business."

         Pierre also said that working with the program has given her a sense of faith.

         OTJ Ministries hopes to see more young adults develop life long skills to be used in the professional world.

         "She has taught me a lot. She has been here so she knows the functions, where I might have a different area that I may be okay in, but she knows everything all around," Gandy said. "She is irreplaceable."