Students in middle or high school are invited to take part in a “survival skills” workshop at the Perry Memorial Library, but the skills learned bear no resemblance to those of reality TV shows where you have to eat weird stuff or navigate deserted islands.
No, this month’s survival skills workshop involves sewing machines, said Melody Peters, the library’s youth services director.
Last month, participants learned how to sew on a button – if you stop by the library this afternoon, you’ll see the group sewing mittens, Peters told WIZS’s Bill Harris on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!
Originally designed for youth in grades 6-8, Peters said the class is going to be opened up for high school students, too.
Next month’s project is making a shirt and then they’ll move on to making stuffed toys.
These basic skills used to be taught in home economics classes, if they weren’t taught by parents or grandparents, but Peters said offering the workshop at the library is just one way to interact with young people and help them feel successful.
“Education is your ticket,” Peters said, “but it can look differently for everybody.” Sometimes, kids just need a little help to learn those skills – like basic sewing – as they become more independent and self-reliant.
Next Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 4:30 p.m., the library programming shifts gears as it welcomes Mama Azia as part of African American History Month. This interactive event features music and storytelling, Peters said. “I’m so excited to see her engage our youth – it’s going to be amazing!”
Then, on Tuesday, Mar 7 at 4:30 p.m., the library will have another in a series of workshops called “life hacks.” The March workshop will help young people begin the process of creating a resume.
“I want kids to be ahead of the game,” Peters said, to be prepared with a resume and choosing references when they go out in search of a summer job, for example.
Participants will get individualized attention from adults knowledgeable about building a resume and what it should include to be as effective as possible.
Peters said young people can have a document in their Google Drive, ready to send at a moment’s notice.
“You can do all of this mobile,” she said. So when kids are out and about and hear about a possible job opportunity, they can retrieve a resume virtually and can send it along to a prospective employer right away. The workshop will give young people a chance to practice interview skills.
Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ for details on all upcoming events and programs.
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