Join Us for Some Tasty Events to Celebrate RSYP Apprenticeship Programs

April 4th, 2013
Railroad Street Youth Project is hosting a series of spring culinary celebrations to showcase the work of the participants in its Apprenticeship Programs, and help raise money for RSYP programs and services, and support for youth-inspired projects and activities.

Railroad Street kicks off its seasonal celebrations with a “Farm to Spring Table” Culinary Dinner on Wednesday, April 24th at 5:30 PM at John Andrews A Farmhouse Restaurant in South Egremont to showcase the work of the young chefs in Chef/Owner Dan Smith’s RSYP Culinary Apprenticeship Program. The evening will feature a 5-course seasonal tasting menu selected, prepared and presented by RSYP young chefs and their mentor, Dan Smith, and includes a Reception, raffle, and Student Certificate Presentation. Tickets are $100 per person.

The celebrations continue with a special Jazz Brunch at The Red Lion Inn on Sunday, April 28th at 11:30 AM, featuring the young chefs in Brian Alberg’s RSYP Culinary Apprenticeship Program. The afternoon will feature a 4-course brunch, selected, prepared and presented by RSYP young chefs and their mentor, Chef Alberg, live music, raffle, and Student Certificate Presentation. Tickets are $50 per person.

Then Railroad Street invites old and new friends to a Cinco de Mayo celebration of its Apprenticeship Programs on Sunday, May 5th from 6:00-8:00 PM at Rubi’s in Great Barrington. Tickets are $35 per person and include festive hors d’oeuvres reception, with food prepared by the young chefs in RSYP’s Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Program and their mentor, Chef Brian Alberg, an exhibition of student photography, grand prize “Fun at Fenway” raffle drawing, and Student Certificate Presentation.

The Railroad Street Apprenticeship Program (RAP), launched in 2006, was designed to match the inspirations of young people to the resources of the community. The goal of RAP is to meet the unmet vocational and educational needs of South Berkshire youth. Over the years, over 150 young people from South County have participated in one of RSYP’s Apprenticeship programs, gaining valuable work skills and experience, and in many cases a job working with local area businesses. This year, RSYP offers after-school Apprenticeship Programs in the Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Photography, and Massage Therapy.

The 2013 Spring Apprenticeship Celebrations were made possible, in part, by TD Bank and Berkshire United Way. For more information or to purchase tickets and/or make a donation, email Maxine Carter-Lome at email hidden; JavaScript is required or call 413-528-2475.

It’s Apprenticeship Time!!!

February 15th, 2013

So many great options! Starting in a few short weeks so call or email to sign up.

Contact : jocelyn     email/email hidden; JavaScript is required      phone/528-2475

 

 

 

Mondays (culinary): Red Lion Inn, already started (but it is possible to still join, just ask)

Tuesdays (culinary): John Andrews, already started (but it is possible to still join)

Wednesday (massage): Connecting Point Wellness

Thursdays (cosmetology): Michele’s Salon and Day Spa

Fridays (photography): Julie McCarthy

 

 

RSYP Closed Today Feb 8th at 3:30pm Due to Statewide Road Closures

February 8th, 2013

Support Youth Empowerment on Indiegogo

February 7th, 2013

Railroad Street Youth Project has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise $5,000 in 60 days to fund youth-inspired programs and activities for South County teens and young adults. Watch the video created by RSYP participants and learn about the role of the Youth Operational Board and the projects that your campaign contribution will support. A gift of $5, $10, $25, or more gets us closer to our goal and supports our mission to empower and support young people creating positive, sustainable change for our community as a whole.  Help us  make youth-inspired projects possible in our community by supporting our Indiegogo campaign.

 

RSYP is Hiring a Part-time YOB Coordinator!

February 6th, 2013

***Job description is subject to change slightly over time

Part-time YOB Coordinator Job Description PDF

Railroad Street Youth Project, a non-profit organization empowering South Berkshire youths since 1999, is searching for a new YOB Coordinator.

The YOB Coordinator will assist RSYP Staff in facilitating the direction of RSYP programs and projects, along with assists to office functions and RSYP events. This will be a part-time, 10$ per hour, 7-10* hours per week position that is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Specific Duties Include:

• Makes and maintains contact with local youth, assists with RSYP recruitment for programs and projects.

• Has full knowledge of all RSYP programs and projects in order to communicate with community members and present and/or potential volunteers and partners.

• Working on improvement strategies to recruit new YOB members, improve attendance and retention, and communication between YOB members.

• Motivating  young people to participate in and engage with YOB and YOB related events or activities.

• Supporting youth-inspired projects from the weekly Y.O.B. meetings.

• Develop & strengthen relationships with community organizations, schools, community residents & volunteers. Expand the community involvement in and awareness of RSYP programming.

• Utilize and maintain evaluation of constituents and programs using ImProve database. Assist with grant reporting as needed.

• Works with RSYP Participants to develop new ideas, proposals and projects.

• Facilitates weekly YOB meetings and works with YOB subcommittees.

• Works with approved project proposals assisting with project follow-through and success.

• Perform other duties/special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications/Preferences:

• Experience in community or youth development programming, youth empowerment, working with young people in developing a sense of agency and creativity.

• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.

• Experience with Facebook, iMovie, iPhoto, and/or experience hosting a You Tube channel preferred.

• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel (2000 and above) preferred.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Ability and/or willingness to engage in and facilitate conversations and situations that are personally and mentally challenging

• Ability to work occasional nights & weekends.

• Must reside in or be willing to move to South or Central Berkshire County.

• Must be available Tuesdays at least from 3pm to 5pm.

• Having a reliable means of transportation preferred

 

Please send a cover letter and resume to email hidden; JavaScript is required. Email or call 413.528.2475 for more information.

Priority deadline: February 22nd

Position begins on or before March 11th, 2013.

*Hours may change

 

Anyone Can Cook….join our culinary apprenticeships today!

January 28th, 2013

Want to learn how to cook or improve your skills with amazing local chefs in a professional kitchen? This is an opportunity for anyone between the ages 14-25, it’s free and it’s for all levels. This is an opportunity to learn knife skills, pasta making, sauteing, baking, and so much more. Classes are 8 weeks, 1 day a week for 2 hours. There is a class offered at Red Lion Inn and John Andrews. Railroad Street offers transportation from Mt.Everett and Monument to the classes.

Red Lion Inn: Meets Mondays. FEB 4, 11, 25        MAR 4, 11, 18, 25       APR 1st, 22     BRUNCH  april 28

John Andrews: Meets Tuesdays. FEB 5, 12, 26      MAR 5, 12, 19, 26       APR 2nd          DINNER   april 9th

 

For more info or to sign up contact email hidden; JavaScript is required

 

Photo: We are getting ready for another round of Culinary Apprenticeships!!! Want a job in a restaurant? Looking for something FUN and different to do after school? Not in school anymore and looking for something fun and different to do? Interested in learning how to MAKE PASTA from scratch, home made ICE CREAM, how to use a knife? The list goes on... Join us for a fun and FREE 8 week experience.</p>
<p>Red Lion Inn: mondays, feb 4, 11, 25/ March 4, 11, 18, 25   Aprl 1</p>
<p>John Andrews: Tuesdays, feb 5, 12, 26/ March 5, 12, 19, 26     April 2</p>
<p>Contact jocelyn    <span id=email hidden; JavaScript is required for more info" width="403" height="403" />

YOB MINUTES

January 17th, 2013
From Tuesday, January 15, 2013
  • Snow Globes
  • Film of substance: Requiem for a Dream 7pm next Friday
  • Fire Circle this Sunday 3:30pm meet at Drop
  • Darlene Seckler to talk about nursing opportunities
  • Snow Globes!!!
  • MLK Day Monday @ Noon
  • Fancy Dance Party, Mikael & Audrey, Feb 15th
  • Greenagers to fairgrounds (will cont.)
  • getting Audrey & Michael together
  • Turn skate park into ice rink
  • Mike Leavitt outing club; Guest from the rotary
  • Will: Jobs and Careers/ ask how meeting is going to be
  • YOB request for food for Men’s Fire Circle
  • Mode 1 UN competition (FreeRice.com); 10 questions before computer use
  • We got books!!!
  • Intro Question!****> favorite way to socialize with friends
Attendance
  1. Austen Dupont
  2. Patsy Cowen
  3. Luiza T.
  4. David Asaph
  5. Will Syldor
  6. Mike Leavitt
  7. Michael Johnson
  8. Maria Vitrano
  9. Mette Linnet
  10. Barbara Manring
  11. Don Victor
  12. Mike Whitakes
  13. Kevin Hoctor
  14. Ava Naylor
  15. Kiana Estime
  16. Jarrid Fair

RSYP youth to speak at 14thAnnual Interfaith Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 15th, 2013

 

14thAnnual Interfaith Celebration of the  Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday

Interfaith Prayers, Readings, Music, Singing

Featuring Youth from Local Community Groups:
Greenagers, Multicultural BRIDGE Youth Corps, and from the Railroad Street Youth Project:

Patsy Cowen, Youth Operational Board Leader for RSYP from Monument Mountain Regional High School
Austen Dupont, Youth Operational Board Leader for RSYP from Mount Everett Regional High School

Monday, January 21, 2013

Interfaith Service and Reception

12:00 Noon – 1:00PM
First Congregational Church (Parish Hall)
251 Main Street, Great Barrington

Please bring an item of nonperishable food
for local food pantries and community meals

Sponsored by: Southern Berkshire Clergy Association
Co-Sponsored by: Interfaith Committee of Southern Berkshire
Women’s Interfaith Institute in the Berkshires

YOB MINUTES

January 8th, 2013

YOB MINUTES:
-Today at YOB we had Robert Bertram with us via video chat and he was a welcome guest we were glad to have him with us today
-The next Substance film night is Friday the 25th the movie being played is going to be Requiem for a Dream
-Men’s fire circle discussing what it is like to be a teenager these days is on the 20th in Monterey
-At the next YOB we will be making snow globes for the Sandy Hook elementary
-We discussed a small contract type of thing to be put on the sign in to ensure that nobody has their photo taken unwillingly
-ANYONE LIVING IN GB UNDER 25 CAN NOW BE ON THE HIRING COMMITTEE FOR THE TOWN MANAGER!!! come to the drop in for details
-Will is going to be hosting a culture workshop this weekend
-The overnight stay at Northwest camp is now going to be set for February break following its postponement
-On Monday January 21st Patsy Cowen and Austen Taylor Dupont will be speaking in honor of MLK jr. day at the first congregational church in GB
-RSYP is going to apply for a grant of $500 so that we can hopefully buy more cooking supplies for us hungry youth
-The Ronald McDonald house lunch benefit was a huge success
-Mike Whitaker is working on getting a dance started, it will be held as soon as Mid-February.! :)

YOB MINUTES

December 20th, 2012

YOB MINUTES:
-Yankee Swap went down and was very successful with 7 participants
-YOB had 23 in attendence
-After YOB we watched the movie “A Christmas Story”
-David Asaph proposed a benefit lunch/dinner at the Ronald Mcdonald house and it was approved
-Abby and Audrey proposed an idea to have a formal winter “ball”