In July 2009, Arbor Education & Training (E&T) was awarded an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant by their sponsor, The Enterprise for Employment and Education, to provide work readiness training and summer employment opportunities for 120 young adults in Marion and Yamhill counties. Arbor recruited 60 low income participants below the age of 24 in the Salem metro area to become part of this historical project referred to as the Summer Training and Employment Project (STEP).

Once the work readiness training was successfully completed, the participants were assigned to positions with local employers that included the non-profit organization A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, Habitat for Humanity, Enterprise for Employment & Education, Marion County Historical Society, Keizer Chamber of Commerce, Mission Mill Museum, Salem Contractor’s Exchange (SCE), Salem Housing Authority (SHA) and United Way as well as businesses; American Family Insurance: Tina Hernandez Agency, BBSI, Companion Pet Clinic, Personnel Source, Salem Hospital, SelecTemp Employment Services, Texaco and Truitt Bros, Inc. At the conclusion of the three-week summer work experience, some of the participants were offered full time, permanent positions from their employers.

Kara Rotella, Administrative & Support Services Manager with United Way commented, “We were so grateful to have the opportunity to be a host site for Arbor Education and Training’s Summer Work Experience program. The participant that was assigned to our office was friendly, professional, fun and completely engaged in the work we do in the community. We were able to teach her new skills in a professional and structured environment…We are hopeful that the time spent with us will encourage the participant to continue her education and get into the non-profit workforce…”

When asked of their experience with the STEP program, Linda Gregg of the City of Salem’s Urban Development Department stated, “Working with Arbor's Summer Youth Program has allowed SHA to provide the staffing needed to provide critical services to the public, while at the same time providing the opportunity for youth to gain experience in a work environment. . .SHA values its partnerships with organizations such as Arbor that promote human potential and make a lasting contribution to the community.”
Of the 60 youth who participated in the STEP project, it is estimated that 50% of them will continue the Arbor federally funded year around program. The year around program offers many services that include many support services designed to assist with GED completion and higher education, skills development, internships and additional work-readiness training.
Agencies and businesses that are interested in learning more about Arbor E&T or getting involved are encouraged to contact Michelle Marling (PH: 503.504.5576, E-mail: mmarling@arboret.com)