Scott Dennis likes to help out youth. He's coached kids for 29 years in wrestling and football. He supports their efforts and wants to see them succeed.
This proponent for kids is now paving roads in another area to help youth grow in self-confidence.
Dennis, the business owner of Stang's Travel Center in Anderson, recently won a prestigious award for putting kids to work through a Missouri Workforce program.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act partners strive to help individuals improve their skills and obtain and maintain employment, according to information provided by Leslie Abram, of the Workforce Investment Board of Southwest Missouri in Joplin.
The program aims to help youth with disabilities develop leadership skills, realize their full potential, and promotes inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society.
Two hundred companies across southwest Missouri employ the teens through the program, helping them sharpen their social skills and gain business experience.
Dennis was one of two finalists for putting teens to work, earning a WIOA Partners Southwest Missouri Inclusion Award during a special ceremony on Oct. 2.
The award recognizes Dennis "for demonstrating outstanding performance of inclusion in the areas of recruiting, hiring and retaining employees with disabilities and/or from other minority groups."
He encourages other businesses to consider being a leader in the program.
"We're trying to get more businesses involved," he said.
Dennis believes building self-esteem in youth is critical for tomorrow's leaders.
Dennis and his wife, who have an autistic son, feel teens who have disabilities need to feel they are a part of a successful team.
"I'm really receptive to trying to find out what they do well," Dennis said.
Last year, four teens came aboard through the workforce program. Dennis hired three for long-term permanent work.
He's worked with students who are deaf, have autism and deal with bipolar disorder.
He believes an employer can be a strong ally for a teen, helping teens learn more about customer service, working with the public, gaining skills and building self-confidence along the way.
Dennis has employed the teens through Stang's, his convenience store, as well as the Subway he owns next door.
The opportunity benefits both parties involved.
"It's fun to watch some of them come out of their shell," he said.
Dennis hopes other businesses will join the program. He sees long-term benefits to creating opportunities to learn and improve on job skills in the workplace.
He knows it's imperative for all teens to realize their own strong self-worth.
"Anything to do with kids, we're in," he said.
General News on 11/01/2018