DATE: Thursday, August 14, 1997             TAG: 9708120129

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 16   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FELICIA PAGE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   84 lines

PROGRAM TEACHES KIDS JOB SKILLS YOUTH PRODUCTIONS HELPS MINORITY YOUTHS WITH JOB SEARCH.

Every Saturday during August and September, aspiring young people, between the ages of 16 and 20, meet at the Roberts Park Community Center in Norfolk's Bowling Green section, to discuss and develop employment ethics.

No, this isn't a summer school class or a support group.

It is Youth Productions Inc., founded two years ago by Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Marvin Bradley.

``I just wanted to do something for the youth,'' said Bradley, sitting behind his office desk at Norfolk's Little Creek Amphibious Base. ``Many of them don't have opportunities.''

Youth Productions consists of half-day workshops and classes for Hampton Roads youth interested in seeking employment. The workshops include how to write a resume, fill out a job application, prepare for interviews, understand W2 and W4 tax forms and develop customer communication skills.

The father of three daughters, ages 15 to 23, came up with the idea for Youth Productions after teaching some disadvantaged kids at the Bridge Academy. After taking an interest in one student, he discovered the child had been put into detention. He went to visit the teen-ager and found that many of his former students were also there. He decided he must do something about the plight of today's youth and thus formed Youth Productions.

The students come willingly, and if they haven't missed more than two classes by the program's end, they receive a certificate and can participate in a graduation ceremony.

Sophia Norfleet, 18, of Bowling Green, worked at Taco Bell and is now applying at Wal-Mart as a result of Youth Productions.

``It helped me get a job and learn some important job skills, like writing resumes and having mock interviews,'' said Norfleet.

So far, Youth Productions has wreaked nothing but success. It has gained enormous support from the community and various companies. Businesses such as Burger King, Taco Bell, Wal-Mart and Kmart have hired and continue to hire the program's participants.

``Primarily, it can keep them off the street,'' explained Bradley, who live in Virginia Beach. ``If you employ youth, there will be less trouble, because they have activities keeping them from being idle.''

Youth Productions classes, from 9 a.m. to noon, start Aug. 23 and end Sept. 27. As the result of a grant, Bradley will soon be conducting the workshops on the second floor of the Youth Crisis Network at the corner of Granby Street and Olney Road.

Bradley hopes to instill discipline and an eagerness to work as good employees in his students. That's one reason why the kids must be willing to abide by the rules. That means dressing appropriately - not wearing short skirts, low-cut tops and saggy pants or sporting chunky gold chains, plaits and braids. They must also maintain at least a C average.

``If they're here to waste anybody's time, they can leave,'' Bradley stated firmly. ``I remember one kid that the schools didn't know what to do with. We were able to turn him around.

``If I can change one of the kids around, that one can change hundreds of others,'' he said.

Christine Wiggins' 16-year-old daughter, Marlina, participated in Youth Productions. Wiggins was pleased with the program.

``It gave her some good job skills in the areas of interviewing and getting along with employees,'' Wiggins said of her teen-ager. ``I like the fact that it's a small group and she gets a lot of attention.''

Each Saturday Bradley's workshops capture the attention of about 15 youths. He has also formed a summer group of about 12 kids from 8 to 15 years old. The majority of their work is done throughout the community with neighborhood clean-ups and cook-outs, fund-raisers and field trips.

Bradley said that all these activities help to keep the kids involved and focused during the summer. Recently, he and the youngsters toured the Smithsonian, the National Zoo and the White House in Washington.

After he retires from the service, Bradley, who has a master's in special education, hopes to make Youth Productions his full-time job.

``Bradley really goes beyond what is required of him,'' said Wiggins.

Added Norfleet, ``He's an outstanding person who is always taking time out for us to make sure we get everything done. Mr. Bradley is a great friend and the best person I've ever met.'' MEMO: To register for the session beginning Aug. 23, write to:

Youth Productions, 759 Granby St., Suite 2, Norfolk, Va. 23510, or call

622-4430. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP

Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Marvin Bradley is the founder of

Youth Productions Inc. KEYWORDS: BACK TO SCHOOL

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu