COYOTE KICK OFF 2015

Kick-off was the first chance for the youth to see what the Coalition Youth Team Summer Program is

all about. Jen Miles, Director of COYOTE Program, spoke to the youth about what they could expect

over the next seven weeks. She spoke about the many facets of work readiness that would help

them in the future such as: learning to complete applications, write resumes, dress properly, act

appropriately, interview, and how to keep a job. She assured the youth that this program was a step

forward in the right direction.

After introducing the rest of the staff, Miles handed the orientation over to Sandy Skousen, Program

Representative. Skousen reviewed the curriculum for Work Readiness, the COYOTE handbook and

the WEX Work Experience segment of the program. Skousen came into the COYOTE program late

last year as a Career Coach. This year, after learning all the ins and outs of the Program, she’s ready

to step up and take charge of the program in Kingman.

Skousen states “This program is fantastic and can do so

much for youth.”

Kingman Edition

The howler

Kingman| Page 2

Life Skills: Learning how to balance a budget.

Guest Speakers During the two-week Work Readiness training, the COYOTE

Summer Program hosted several guest speakers.

Seleena Fancher, Financial Sales Advisor, from BBVA Compass Bank

provided invaluable information on personal finances, budgets and

savings options. Tricia Hanks and Eli Johnston, Admissions

Counselors from Mohave Community College, presented material

on available programs, financial aid options, and other resources

available at MCC for the youth.

Role Play is an integral part of Work Readiness

Check It or wreck It One of the notable things taught to the

COYOTEs was drug safety. Patty Jacques

from Arizona Youth Partnership showed

them just how important drug safety is.

She informed the youth that drugs affect

your health, as well as your family and

friends. Part of the presentation included a

game called Check It or Wreck It where the

youth role play how to say no. With this

advice in mind these youth know that it is

better to be safe than sorry.

work readiness The Coalition Youth Team

(COYOTE) is an employment and

training program that has been

developed through Mohave

County’s One-Stop Career

Centers over the past ten years.

The program has a summer

component which provides

intensive work readiness and on

the job experience training for

youth 14 to 21 years of age.

COYOTE kicks off the youths’

start in the workforce through

responsibility, leadership, and

life skills.

This program also gives students

the opportunity and resources

to get ready for the workforce

and the real world.

Kingman| Page 3

Employer Discussion Panel

Another noteworthy event was the Employer Discussion Panel. People from a wide variety of

businesses talked briefly about their occupations and answered questions from the COYOTEs. Some

of these employers were: Stephanie Bleekman form North American Pipe, Rob Rennells from KRMC

Recruitment, Jared Skousen from Strictly Floors & More, Valerie Winters from Superior Court HR,

and Sarah Bolander and Jose Garcia, both from Mohave County Human Resources.

The Panel spoke to the COYOTEs about what to expect during interviews and on the job. They

discussed what they look for in employees, how they became interested in their occupations, and

obtained their jobs.

One of the questions asked was, “What do you look for in an employee?” The panel agreed that

most important is that the employee be respectful, punctual, focused, and hard-working.

Kingman| Page 4

white Cliffs Senior living Schyler Eikenbary was placed at White Cliffs

Senior Living as an Activities Assistant for

occupational skills training. Her work day

contains a variety of fun activities which include

baking cookies, calling Bingo, shooting pool,

playing board games, watching Major League

Baseball and whatever else the residents may be

inclined to try. One job duty that Eikenberry

loves is dancing. She states, “They [the residents]

sure love to dance!”

When asked if she envisioned working with the elderly in her future, now that she has had this

experience, she responded enthusiastically, “Yes, bringing smiles to all the residents’ faces and

keeping them happy is a wonderful feeling.”

Eikenbary heard good things about the COYOTE Program from some friends at her high school, so

she decided to go through the application process and was fortunate enough to be accepted. Her

work site supervisor, Michelle Taylor, White Cliffs Senior Living Activities Director, said that she chose

Eikenbary because she was highly social, upbeat, and energetic. That is the perfect personality for

this job. Taylor said, “I hope Schyler does pursue a career in this field as would be an excellent

Activities Director.”

Kingman| Page 5

M y C O Y O T E E x p e r i e n c e

I would like to say a little about myself. I have

struggled to find a job, because I don’t have work

experience. It took a couple months before I went to

the One-Stop. I was just so scared that they would be

like everyone else and not give me a chance to prove

myself. My experience was different. I talked to these

awesome ladies who saw something special in me,

and they helped me sign up for a program called

COYOTE.

Participating in the COYOTE Program has been the

best experience I have ever had. It has helped me in

many ways, such as writing resumes, learning about

interviews, and how to behave on the job. When I

first started, I was afraid because I liked it and did not

want to be kicked out, but I soon found the support

and guidance I needed to be successful. A very special

moment happened when I was out waiting for the

bus and a wonderful girl, who was also in COYOTE,

started a conversation with me. We formed an

instant connection, and she quickly became my best

friend.

For my work experience I was placed at the Western

Arizona Human Society. When I first got there I didn’t

want to answer phones or even talk to anyone, but

after three days I felt comfortable at the front desk. I

have learned how to be fast on my feet, how to help

with customer service, how to answer phones and

even learned how to take information and enter it in

the computer. I never knew that I could learn so fast!

For a little bit, all I would do is just work non-stop

until they ran out of things for me to do. They started

sending me to help with the animals. I learned a lot

about grooming puppies and how to handle dogs that

were out of control; I loved it. Now I’m no longer

scared. I have a confidence that I thought I would

never have and I know I can do anything and

everything that I put my mind to.

Thank you COYOTE for giving me a chance.

One of a Kind Dog Finds Full house A very special dog once started out at the

Western Humane Society. Staff named her

Cadence. As soon as I got to know her, I fell

in love with her. Her only fault was that she

did not get along with other dogs, so she

became our office buddy. One day a family

came in looking for a dog that was loving. “I

know exactly the right dog,” I told them. I

brought them up to meet Cadence. Right

away we all knew she belonged with that

family. It was the best feeling to get her

adopted. While I worked there, it was so

sad and nerve-racking for the animals

because we want all of them to go to a

home, but some just aren’t meant for it. I

do believe that all animals are meant to be

somewhere in life. We just never know

where.

Kingman| Page 6

Melanie Jean

was invited back

for a second

COYOTE

experience as a

result of her

positive attitude

and great

computer skills.

Her job

placement this

year could not

be more

different. While

last year she was

quietly restocking books on library shelves,

this year she is learning the ins and outs of a

noisy and very busy car dealership. She

answers the phone, transfers calls, pages staff

and has learned how to operate the cash

register.

Her favorite part of the job, she states, is

working with the customers. “I’ve learned

about all different types of personalities,” she

says. “The people keep my days interesting.”

Her supervisor, Jennifer Acton, financial

manager of Kingman Honda, has worked there

for over 15 years, working her way up from an

entry-level position. The Kingman Auto Group,

owner of Kingman Honda, is sponsoring and

mentoring COYOTE participants for the second

year in a row. They chose Melanie Jean above

several other youth who interviewed for the

position due to her professional demeanor and

good communication skills. Acton felt she was

the best fit for this challenging job.

“The people keep my

days interesting.”

Kingman Chevrolet & Buick returns as a 2015

COYOTE Summer Program sponsor. This year

Dustin Smith was selected to work with

Jeanette Christensen, the Business Office

Manager of Kingman Chevrolet & Buick, as an

office assistant.

Christensen feels the COYOTE program is an

amazing opportunity. She stated, ‘’There’s not

many youth programs that give young people

the training and experience they need to enter

the job market.’’

Dustin Smith, a returning COYOTE, was open to

taking on different challenges and learning

something new. In this placement, he is

working on reports for cars, answering phones,

and filing paperwork for cars which have been

sold. Smith stated, “sometimes the work can be

really challenging, like today, but on other days,

it can be easy and fun.”

Smith and Christensen both love cars and have

many of the same interests. They enjoy talking

because of their similar attitudes. Smith is

thrilled to learn as much as possible and get

more experience to prepare himself for a full-

time job.

Pleasing Customers at Kingman honda

Opportunities for Success

Kingman| Page 7

Tina Schutte, Director of the Lily Pad Daycare Center, cares for and teaches the children, now with help

from her COYOTE, Yaneli Gutierrez.

Schutte has worked at the center for over 20 years, and anticipates she

will work there for 20 more years. She enjoys seeing the children grow

and learn. “Every day brings changes,” she says. Taking Gutierrez

under her wing was natural extension for Schutte, who has a passion

for teaching.

Gutierrez applied for the Coalition Youth Team Summer Program after

one of her friends mentioned it. She completed the two-week work

readiness component and was placed for her work experience at the

Creative Care’s Lily Pad Daycare Center, a long-time COYOTE partner.

Gutierrez mentioned that she is learning how to properly

communicate with people. When she is talking to children, she is more

positive in her tone of voice and learns to speak clearly to them. She

takes what she learns at Lily Pad and uses these speaking skills to be

more social around people. She can use this skill to sound more

positive when interviewing or speaking to others in general.

Even after retiring from 30 plus years in the food industry, Jim Mixon,

Nutritional Services Lead at Kingman Regional Medical Center, can’t stay

out of a kitchen. Mixon retired from Kingman Regional Medical Center.

This summer Mixon is mentoring Shikitha Lucero from the Coalition

Youth Team Summer Program.

Mixon is a huge supporter of giving the youth a chance to work and

show what they are capable of accomplishing. The importance of

providing excellent customer service and delicious food to facility

residents, employees, and/or patrons is what Mixon stresses to Lucero.

”If I can make someone’s day better by serving them hot delicious food,

then I’ve done my job,” says Mixon.

Assigned to do kitchen prep for the KRMC Nutrition Services

department Lucero enjoys her co-workers and the many customers in

the cafeteria. If she’s not in the kitchen slicing cheese and cold cuts for

sandwiches, you’ll probably find her in the bakery. She wants to learn as

much about culinary arts as possible since this is the kind of work is that

she is aiming to do in the future.

Things are hopping at the lily Pad Daycare

Culinary Arts at KrMC

Kingman| Page 8

Amira Al-Moussawi learned in Work Readiness that when

you say you are “willing to do anything,” you really need to

back it up. In her case this included holding animals while

the veterinarian gives them a dose of medicine, observing

operations to help as needed, clipping nails, even enduring a

few bites or scratches while trying to keep them calm.

Liz Dahlin, A Veterinarian Technician at Cerbat Cliffs Animal

Hospital, acknowledges that Al-Moussawi is doing wonderful

at her job and learns more daily. Al-Moussawi feeds and

grooms the animals and takes the dogs out into the side yard

for an exercise session. She says, “The most exciting thing is

bathing all the dogs.” More mundane, but necessary, tasks

include filing paperwork on the animals being treated.

Al-Moussawi and Dahlin share a love of animals and as a

natural outgrowth, both love their jobs caring for animals.

After eight years with the Cerbat Cliffs, Dahlin is confident in

her position, saying, “It’s my dream job!” She enjoys building

trust and interacting with animals and making them well. She

notes, “Many kids today have a difficult time getting a job

and the COYOTE Program really helps them get a feel for

what will be expected on the job.”

willing to do Anything

Unique Opportunity TJ Bagby-Baptista is currently working under Nikole White’s supervision at UniSource Energy Services.

White states that Bagby-Baptista is enjoyable to be around and extremely ambitious. She says he

makes progress daily and absorbs knowledge like a sponge. White has been with UniSource for 12

years and enjoys the everyday challenges she faces.

Bagby-Baptista works for UniSource Energy Services

in a couple capacities. He works in the office doing

reports on the computer, and sometimes goes out

and helps read the meters. He really enjoys going

out in the field, observing the staff as they do

routine jobs and troubleshoot, and learning new

things.

“It’s my dream job!”

Kingman| Page 9

Medical Supplies Delivered Just in Time Alana Edgecomb literally runs around the Kingman

Regional Medical Center (KRMC) with the Central

Supply Department providing medical personnel with

the exact supplies they need at the precise moment

they need them. She said, “We deliver everything from

Band-Aids to body bags.” Edgecomb added that she has

not been required to deliver a body bag yet, but did

witness a cardiac arrest. When a Code Blue is

announced Central Supply dispatches an emergency

cart with an assortment of equipment and medication.

Central Supply staff then remains on site to account for all the supplies used from the cart and ensures

they are replaced. She said it made her want to cry, but it was exhilarating at the same time. The supply

clerk position has peaked Edgecomb’s interest, and she plans to apply for a permanent position with the

hospital.

Edgecomb’s supervisor Tanya Watson, Central Supply Supervisor, values that Alana loves to keep busy.

“She often asks me what else she can do when we don’t have a delivery scheduled.” KRMC has been a

COYOTE Program partner right from the start so Watson has extensive experience in managing and

mentoring young people.

Assembling Customized Computer Systems Robert Pope, Kingman Unified School District information

technician manager, and his team selected Patrick Lindsay for

the coveted position of Information Technology (IT) assistant.

Lindsay builds computers from scratch including motherboard,

capture cards, and memory units. The team travels to different

schools installing the computers, networking, and loading

software. Lindsay is in his element and is enthusiastic about the

his summer experiences.

Pope has been a COYOTE mentor for three years, taking youth

under his wing and teaching them what he loves about his job.

This includes installing new programs on the computers,

rebooting network problems, and just making the computer

function faster and smoother.

Lindsay is a great problem solver. This job opportunity was

perfect for him and he feels this could possibly be the career

path he would like to pursue in the future.

Kingman| Page 10

Dave Sanders, a Work Readiness Instructor for the

Mohave County Community Services One-Stop Career

Center Coalition Youth Team Summer Program, heads

up the Hualapai Mountain Park Green Team. The

COYOTE Green Team consists of Justin Canter, Tyler

Rotenbury, and Ty Walker. These three have learned

many things while on the job such as being

dependable, cooperative, and honest.

Sanders and the team work on trimming trees and

bushes, tearing down old sheds, picking up trash,

and clearing the trails and walkways. They are also

hoping to be able to help build a new shed after

demolishing the old wood shed which stood for

about 70 years. The youth learned about basic

property management skills, landscaping, and how

to use various tools which will benefit them at

future jobs or in home ownership.

Maintaining Structure at hualapai Mountain Park

COYOTE Gabe Bolt was assigned to work with Beth Cordes, Equipment & Fleet Parts Coordinator with Mohave County Fleet Services. Bolt is interested in anything that has to do with vehicles so sorting and inventorying parts was right up his alley. Cordes says that the county must keep inventory on hand to fix anyone of the vehicles in the fleet, which includes cars, dump trucks, bull dozers, water trucks and chip spreaders. That is a lot of parts!

Sorting Parts at the Motor Pool

Nate Dykeman has a great opportunity to be a part of the

Mohave County Treasurer’s Office for five weeks this summer.

SueAnn Mello, administrative assistant for the office has

undertaken the challenge of teaching Dykeman basic office

protocol for billing and payments as well as sorting documents

and filing tax invoices.

Dykeman was uncertain what to expect in his role of office

assistant, but so far he really enjoys the work. Mello stated,

“Our office staff is like family.”

“Dealing with the public, especially unhappy people is one of the difficult things in this particular

career,” Mello said. It is important to keep a smile on your face because keeping people happy is

our goal every day. Dykeman can see himself in an office setting later in life.

Keeping a Smile on Your Face

Tina Wyre, Office Assistant at the Mohave County Recorder’s

Office, in addition to her myriad of duties has agreed to mentor

COYOTE participant, Nicholas Gross. She said, “Nicholas is a

wonderful addition to our office. We love how quickly he grasps

concepts and efficiently completes his assigned tasks.”

Processing correspondence is just a part of his daily routine.

With a high level of confidence in her COYOTE, Wyre delegates

routine bookkeeping tasks, such as entering payments, totaling

tax bills, and filing reports.

Gross said that he knew halfway through the interview that this would be the place for him and

has not been disappointed. He definitely sees himself working in an office environment as part of

his career path and is enjoying his accounting experience.

Wyre, a long-term Mohave County employee, is constantly on the lookout for ways to learn more

about accounting herself. The Recorder’s Office has been a loyal supporter of the COYOTE Program

from its inception and Wyre states that it gives young people the opportunity to learn about the

process of getting and keeping a job. Working with people is the facet of her job that Wyre enjoys

most and she says, “Teaching young people how to be good employees and giving them a taste of

the world of work is a wonderful feeling.”

Tallying Tax Bills at the Mohave County recorder’s Office

Kingman| Page 12

Chris Forit, Head Chef at the Gardens Rehab

& Care Center, is responsible for preparing all

the menus delivered to their dining room. He

enjoys the work very much and, as is

demonstrated by the photographs, has a big

personality.

The COYOTE assigned to the Gardens has

helped in preparing food, setting tables for

meals, and interacting with residents. He also

served food and drinks to the residents and

did kitchen clean up.

what’s Cooking at the Gardens?

Beatrice VanZant, Activities Director, also

at the Gardens, agreed to mentor a

COYOTE this summer as well. VanZant

creates the daily schedule of activities as

well as coordinates participation by the

residents. They offer exercise classes,

walks (or in some cases wheelchair

escorts) around the block if the weather is

good, outings to restaurants or movies

and park excursions. There are also

games, Bingo and cards for times when

the residents are less energetic. The

residents responded very positively to the

COYOTE Activities Assistant and he says it

is like having a whole bunch of new

grandparents.

Exercise and Outings with Gardens residents

Chris Forit with COYOTE Blayne Deakin

Beatrice VanZant

Kingman| Page 13

Banita Curtis, Dietary Manager for Creative Care’s Lingenfelter

Center for Alzheimer’s Care was given a difficult decision this

year by the COYOTE youth program. She interviewed five

individuals for a position as a kitchen assistant. Several of the

youth who interviewed professed a love of cooking or a passion

for food. However, one young man stood out as truly having the

desire expand his experience in the kitchen. The enthusiasm

and positive attitude he brought to the interview secured the

job he wanted most.

Curtis is responsible for all the dietary needs of the center

residents and she relies on the COYOTE for preparation work

such as slicing vegetables, peeling potatoes, etc. Given her

COYOTE’s sense of responsibility and keen interest in the work,

Curtis allowed him to do some of the actual cooking.

The COYOTE reports he has had a totally positive work experience. He enjoys food preparation,

cooking and his co-workers. He is considering a career in the food service industry.

A Passion for learning and Food

Kingman| Page 14

June 15th 2015 marked the beginning of the Work Experience portion of

the COYOTE Summer Youth Program. After interviewing nine different

candidates, Kate McNally, the Media Team Leader, narrowed the field

down to three. Ryan Gross, Isaac Hernandez and Taylor Sindon were

selected to work as Media Team Assistants. It’s the Media Team’s job

to visit every worksite and interview the COYOTEs and their

supervisors, and with over 40 employer-partners and over 60 youths,

they had their work cut out for them.

The Media Team went out into the field to document the experience of all

the youths applying their new life skills, knowledge and time management

techniques on the jobsite. “One of the great things about being on the

Media Team is that we get a taste of what everyone else is doing,” said

McNally.

Since there are three cities in

the program and three

COYOTEs on the Media Team,

each one took responsibility

for conducting interviews,

writing newsletter articles and

selecting pictures for the

yearbook. Other job

assignments such as

photographer, cameraman,

reporter, archivist and

interviewer were rotated based

on who was responsible for

that city.

COYOTE Media Team

Kingman| Page 15

Taylor Sindon says, “I was really

interested in a position on the Media

Team but I was nervous because I am

somewhat shy. This summer I came out of

my shell and did things that I never

thought I could do, like video interviews,

write stories and do layout design.”

Ryan Gross has

his sights set on

an office job and

wanted a

summer job that

would give him

various clerical

type skills. He

said, “This was a

challenge but

definitely gave

me what I was

looking for.”

Isaac Hernandez stepped out of his comfort

zone in a big way to do the interviews, writing

and social interaction necessary for the

Medial Team job. “I enjoyed the experience

but it is not something that I envision myself

doing in the future,” he says.

Kingman| Page 16

KINGMAN COMPrEhENSIVE ONE-STOP

700 West Beale Street

Kingman, AZ

(928) 753-0723

workforce.mohavecounty.us

coyote.mohavecounty.us

COYOTE The Coalition Youth Team (COYOTE) is an

employment and training program, developed

through Mohave County’s One-Stop Career

Centers over the past ten years.

The program has a summer component which

provides intensive work readiness and on the job

experience training for youth 14 to 21 years of

age.

COYOTE kicks off the youth’s start in the

workforce through responsibility, leadership, and

life skills.

This program also gives students the opportunity

and resources to get ready for the workforce and

the real world.

O n e - S to p C a re e r

C e n t e r s

The One-Stop system provides services

to everyone who is seeking assistance in

their job search. More intense support

and training services are available to

those who are eligible under certain

federal and state programs.

These programs target numerous

populations including dislocated or laid-

off workers, affected by the downsizing

or closure of their companies. Other

persons with a priority of service are

veterans, disabled workers, public

assistance recipients and out of school

youth.

Mohave County One-Stop Career Center is an equal opportunity employer and provider of employment and training services.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to persons with disabilities.