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The Launch Pad Newsletter
Newsletter Archives
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Spring 2007
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Spotlight on Launch Parents
The Launch program would not be the success it is without the support of our participants’ parents, so we decided to turn the spotlight on our parents and ask for their feedback.
The Madison County Launch office is pleased to announce that Michael Crouch is the latest Launch participant to graduate from the Southeastern Lineman Training Center on May 12, 2007. Mike’s Mom is Rene Hicks, a secretary at the Madison County Mental Health Center. She says she heard about the program at work and referred Mike to the Madison County Launch counselor. Mike was working at a local fast food restaurant and was ready to train for a career. He was excited about the Lineman school; however, he had a challenge to overcome and that was his fear of heights! He was able to overcome this fear of heights by attending a Ropes course, and pushing himself beyond what he believed he was capable of doing. Rene says, through working with the Launch staff, Mike has “a much better attitude” and “more self-confidence”. Continue (PDF) »
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Winter 2007
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“Got Happiness?”
Sometimes the best information is right there in front us. Take this month’s group discussion topic from Madison County on “Happiness”. The headline in the Huntsville Times read “Want Happiness? Research says it’s Simple”. The research formula suggested that every night try to think of three good things that happened that day and analyze why they occurred, this will increase your overall happiness. That’s it? Hmmm, ok, never one to ask my clients to do something I haven’t tried myself, I decided to give it a shot.
The first two days, I noticed no change. I reread the article and decided that I was doing something wrong. I was thinking of three good things to be thankful for instead of specific things that had happened that day. So, for the next four nights I followed the directions. I noticed a trend right away – many of the good things were not happening to me directly, but were accomplishments achieved by our Launch clients. One client passed his GED test, and another was accepted into nursing school at Drake. I also noticed that my mornings were more pleasant. I believe this was due to being somewhat aware that I would be looking for “good things” that were happening that day. Continue (PDF) »
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Fall 2006
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Coping with Change
Recently the GED instructor at the Madison County adult education site was unexpectedly transferred to another site. The instructor had taught there for the past three years, she was well liked, and she had a real connection with her students. Several Launch clients experienced varying amounts of stress from this sudden change. During a group counseling session we decided to explore ways in which we can understand and cope with change.
How LAUNCH clients coped with their change:
The first thing we did was conduct a stress inventory. Clients were encouraged to talk about changes and stressors that they may have recently encountered. There were many different types of changes including changes in residence, schools, recreation, social activities, work, relationships, minor violations of the law, and personal achievement. We then decided what our particular “change style” was – Are we adaptive or resistive? How do flexibility, perception, and attitude affect us? Finally we applied the 4 stages of change to our situation of “Changing GED instructors”: Continue (PDF) »
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Summer 2006
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Celebrating Success!
The Launch Awards Banquet was held June 8 at Burritt on the Mountain in Huntsville. Attendees included many of our award recipients, several members of the Chamber Foundation Board, Adult Education instructors, and staff. After a delicious lunch provided by Lawler’s Barbecue, Tommy Beason, Chamber Foundation Chairman introduced our speaker. Melvin Allen from Boys and Girls Club challenged the group to pursue a career about which they are passionate, adding stories and insights from his life and experiences.
The Awards Ceremony began with the Launch “Rising Star” Award, given to the participant in each county who has exhibited personal growth through various programs and workshops, achieved education and/or career goals, and maintained a positive attitude about improving their lives. The 2006 Rising Stars are Casey Crutcher (Madison County), Whitney Thompson (Jackson County), and Tiffany Davidson (Marshall County). Continue (PDF) »
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Spring 2006
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Building Your Career
The U.S. Bureau of Labor estimates that the construction industry will need to add 100,000 jobs a year each year through 2012. In addition, the industry will need to add 90,000 jobs a year for positions vacated due to retiring baby boomers, and the labor shortage is increased further by the need for skilled workers in hurricane-ravaged areas. These high-demand occupations include everything from plumbers and electricians to bricklayers and drywallers.
The construction industry is divided into three major segments: 1) General building contractors build residential, industrial, commercial, and other buildings; 2) Heavy construction contractors build sewers, roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, and other projects; and 3) Special trade contractors are engaged in specialized activities such as carpentry, painting, plumbing, and electrical work. For an overview of the construction industry, including career profiles, opportunities, career tips, and projections for the construction industry, visit www.constructionjobs.com.
Continue (PDF) »
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Winter 2006
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Launch grads head for Healthcare
Need a lucrative career that will make a difference? For yourself AND others? How about a career where you can always find employment; or one where you can work anywhere in the country? If you want to make a real difference in people’s lives and make the world a better place – a health career is for you! In fact, several Launch participants have already figured this out, and have already headed for the healthcare field.
According to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections from the U.S. Department of Labor, six out of ten of the nation’s fastest growing occupations will be in the healthcare sector; employment is projected to grow by 30 percent between 2002 and 2012. Registered nurse is the #1 career in the Top Ten Occupations with the Largest Job Growth. Based on these projections, there will not be enough trained people to fill new positions. The nation will need approximately 3.5 million healthcare workers to meet the increasing demands for healthcare in addition to the 2 million workers who will be needed to replace outgoing employees. In Alabama alone, one website, www.healthjobsusa.com, listed 2357 employment opportunities in the healthcare field (December 2005). Continue (PDF) »
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Fall 2005
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Linemen “launch” into lucrative careers
Want a challenge, great pay, and a rewarding career? Line work will give you the freedom to work outdoors; it will guarantee a physical and mental reward; and is one of the highest paying trades that exists. With the current demand for line workers at an all time high, there is no better time than now!
The Southeast Lineman Training Center facility, located in Trenton, Georgia, is just 30 minutes east of Scottsboro, Alabama. The program is 15 weeks long and is very demanding. However the graduates say it was well worth the time and the work. The training prepares you to work for power line construction and utility companies as apprentice lineworkers. Students are taught the necessary skills needed to be safe and extremely productive on utility and/or construction company line crews. SLTC trains approximately 120 students per year. Continue (PDF) »
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Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce