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Show a model cities project by Steve Varley "incentive contracting" method of computing pay on the basis of "what a youngster thinks he's worth." The young person selects goals with the counselor agreeing on worthwhile changes in the youngster's routine. When he has The Youth Environmental Conservation Project is going strong in its second year of for youth. It is work-counselin- g an organization which devotes itself to the service of youth and to the service of the community. The program is directed by Mike Marelli, who is a combination "administrator, troubleshooter and resident masochist." The 140 youngsters involved are 14 to 18 successfully accomplished worth permanent change, he more as a working person, and receives more pay. Lowered standards mean a lowering of the employee's income, so the youngster sets the standards of evaluation himself. "Dress, hair and appearance years of age, many have police records and some are school dropouts, a problem to their schools, their families and themselves. The goal of the project is to turn potential all affect people's attitudes toward you. Responsibility for one's own behavior," Marelli said, burdens on society into assests to the community. Fringe benefits include river parks and picnic areas, new campsite areas, trail improvements, new bus shelters "is person's willingness to the accept consequenses for his So if you, as a taxpayer, are satisfied to know that your tax dollar built those weather shelters around the county bus stops, you may be happy to think that the workers involved may have built some pride and strength of character, too. For the future . . "We're trying to get some sort of program going all year around. When summer's over, some kids go back to school, and the rest go back to nothing," Marelli said. "It's easy to measure the only work experience but examples of leadership and companionship. "The purpose," Marelli explained, " is to replace worthwhile goal and show the guys that it is 'car-strippin- as a g' not only easier, but more profitable to have a job to obtain money." Funds for this program are from Model Cities (HUD), Salt Lake County, the United States Forest Service and a number of private interested sponsors. All monies are under the auspices of Salt Lake County, Department of Social Services. The organization may be a unique cooperation of County and Federal Governments. The kids involved are technically unemployable, but that does not mean that they can't or won't work; they are technically uneducated, but that does not mean that they can't or won't learn; they j u v e n i I are e s ,dro po u ts and but that does not mean that they must remain forever childish, ignorant and delinquents, troubled. The youngsters work on an a actions." and new road signs. improvements made by our crews in the community," Marelli said, "What's harder to measure is the long term change in attitudes on the part of the youngsters." The structure of the organization divides the youngsters into work crews of five kids to one adult supervisor, two or three crews to one work project. The supervisors act as construction foremen, counselors and examples of "good guys", that is, responsible adults. The project provides not a is Nothing is too hard, "with a little help from your friends." Youngsters learn work habits, improve attitudes and have some fun in summer program. |