Teens from Reading High School are learning how to be good role models thanks to a $2,250 grant from the Royals Charities Fund of Berks County Community Foundation to United Community Services (UCS).

This grant funded a leadership skills component in the Reading Works program of UCS, which encourages urban youth to consider construction trades as career options.

“Leadership skills are essential in construction”, said Executive Director Ruth M. Mathews . “Every day of a construction worker’s life, he or she must make critical judgments regarding materials, safety and efficiency.”

Seven teens participated in the summer leadership skills program that aims to help young people make smart decisions, stay in school and become involved in their community.

Teens were provided with resource materials on all aspects of leadership, including how it is demonstrated, how it is acquired and how it is passed on. Additional course material about what apprenticeships entail, what kind of behavior is expected, what responsibilities are required and additional leadership material were loaded onto a jump drive, a portable memory card that functions as a portable hard drive.

Teens also documented their experiences with leadership on their work site visits at a low income house owned by the Reading Housing Authority.

At the end of the program, each teen felt impressed with their work and the skills they learned. In turn, the instructors were impressed with their dedication and performance.

“The leadership youth are great. They are confident in themselves and know they are responsible for themselves and each other.”