Leadership Camp Participants Express Agony in Giving up Cell Phones for Eleven Days

San Bernardino – Participants of the Growth, Excellence and Maturity (GEM) Leadership Camp presented programs and received commendations from local dignitaries yesterday at the CSUSB Student Union. The eleven day GEM program provides interactive, career-focused education for at-risk, low-income young adults, 17 to 21 years of age. The program strives to promote positive experiences as well as a proactive diversion from the negative influences impacting youth daily, such as neighborhood gangs and drugs.

Keynote Speaker Mark Seay, Community Relations Representative for Stater Bros., advised the participants to stay focused, have a goal, and keep good character because, “someone is always watching you”.  He explained to the youth that to be successful you have to make sacrifices.  He spoke about his personal life story and how he was able to work for State Bros. and Jack Brown because when he played football at San Bernardino High School Jack Brown was always there to support the team.  He added, “Jack Brown is still watching me!”

Dr. Ernest Dowdy, Director of the San Bernardino Employment and Training Agency (SBETA), commended the youth on being able to make it through the program without their cell phones and access to friends or family. “You cannot accomplish alone what you can accomplish as a team.” stated Dowdy.  “Here you have learned how to work as a team.  I know one of the greatest challenges for some of you was leaving your cell phone at home. I know that was like leaving an arm, with no Facebook and no Twitter. But that allowed you to focus and learn much more. And you made it through!”

Dowdy also thanked the SBETA board members for funding and supporting the GEM Program over the past 25 years.

Wilmer Amina Carter’s office representatives, Sheila Futch and Cheryl  Brown, presented Recognition Awards for work with youth to: Mr. Ernest Dowdy, Director of SBETA; Dennis Mims, Director of the GEM Camp; Faron Roberts, City of San Bernardino Board Chairperson;  and Fred Fruehan Vice-Chair of the San Bernardino City Workforce Investment Boards, the governing body of SBETA.

Camp participants presented programs demonstrating the micro-city’s legal and political process. Campers mingled with guests interviewing them with questions regarding the guests’ careers, education and how the guests met their goals. Every year the participants pick a theme for their event.  This year’s theme was “Agony and Ecstasy”, which references a Smokey Robinson Song.

During the two-week leadership program the youth live in college dorms. Skilled facilitators work with them to form a unique “city”. The participants select a mayor, judge, chief of police, and town council members, then work together to create “working institutions” like a newspaper, bank, store, restaurant, and theater. This hands-on, positive community experience helps young participants more fully understand how local government functions. As the participants live within these roles, they govern themselves, develop civic pride, learn about careers and job skills, and take personal responsibility.

SBETA has been a major supporter of this unique event for more than 29 years which occurs annually on local college campuses. Activities include mentoring, tutoring, career planning, leadership/communication skills training, computer classes, and job-search workshops. A Customer Service certificate from the Regional Occupational Program (ROP) is awarded to every participant. Each participant also receives approximately $500 for successfully completing the program.

*SBETA is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.