VERO BEACH — Attendees gathered at a dinner Friday evening to spark interest and give a little fundraising jolt of electricity to a new partnership between the Feed the Lambs Enrichment Program and Habitat for Humanity to offer an Electrical 101 Program to local youth.
The 19-week program was the brainchild of Leon Foster, owner of Stony Electrical Contractors. After holding his first two classes at the Temple Evangelistic Church, Foster jumped at the chance to utilize the Habitat facility, which will afford the students more hands on time.
“God bless you; this is such a wonderful program,” said Earl Morgan, Habitat for Humanity board chairman. “Habitat is delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Feed the Lambs.”
Foster said the idea originated after his son Marcus, who had shadowed him on various jobs, excitedly called to say he had earned $60 installing a ceiling fan.
“After that I thought – if he can do it, there are likely other kids who could. We give the students everything – hard hats, safety glasses and tool belts with all the free tools. We created our own literature to teach by,” said Foster. “We’re looking to start up air-conditioning and plumbing programs next.”
After completing the course, students are tested based on industry standards to determine their fair pay grade, and Foster hopes some will enroll in additional classes at Indian River State College to qualify for licenses. Joel Dramis, a professor at IRSC and Jim Kerns, a retired electrical engineer and Habitat volunteer, help with the program, and other mentors are welcomed.
Feed the Lambs got its start in 1996 when the late J. Ralph Lundy founded what was then simply called a free summer enrichment program, knowing that even the reduced cost of such programs is often beyond the reach of struggling families.
He eventually turned the program over to current Feed the Lambs Enrichment Program president John May, who expanded the faith-based organization and in 2002 incorporated it into a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit.
Programs and services, including after-school tutoring and a summer camp for children ages 6 to 12, teen mentoring for ages 13 to 17, and the Electrical 101 Program for ages 15 to 21, are donor driven and provided at no cost by an all-volunteer staff.
“We’re helping kids to get off the streets and away from drugs and alcohol and guns,” said May. “They’re going to learn for school, and they can learn a trade that they can take with them the rest of their lives.”
A New Jersey transplant, May has been employed for the past 11 years by the Indian River County Health Department as a patient care outreach worker, dealing with HIV prevention.
“That too is all about saving lives,” said May. “The more time we give these kids, the less time they have out on the street.”
“We did get a grant from the John’s Island Service League to continue the after school and summer programs run by program director Alma Salter. She’s fantastic,” said Cathy LaCroix, a Feed the Lambs board member.
“That’s why this dinner is a fundraiser for the electrical program. There are so many young people out there that need something else besides college. If they make it through this program, they can intern with an electrician and eventually get a full-time job.”
In speaking to attendees about the program Foster said he had the luxury of a strong family support system and wanted to be a positive influence to others, teaching them that if a man doesn’t work, he doesn’t eat. Son Marcus expressed the thrill of seeing a completed home and “knowing you were part of it.”
Stressing the need for an investment of time and money, board member Ken Primus said, “This is our county; you can make a difference.”
“Our mission is to empower the youth of today to become our future leaders,” said May.
