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Who Does What: Panther Youth Partners

Who Does What

SFSC’s Panther Youth Partners (PYP) is a workforce program, funded by CareerSource Heartland that serves youth ages 16-24 years old. PYP provides young adults with the tools necessary to successfully enter the competitive workforce.

The program has two components:

  1. In-school youth – students aged 16-21, enrolled in 11th and 12th grades
  2. Out-of-school youth – individuals aged 16-24, who are not enrolled in school

All participants must meet the financial eligibility requirement based on household size or be receiving SNAP assistance.

The program provides the following services:

  • Mentoring
  • Career planning
  • Job Readiness skills (resume preparation, job interview skills, etc.)
  • Paid and unpaid work experience
  • Soft-skills training
  • GED preparation to obtain a high school diploma
  • Financial literacy education
  • Occupational skill training funds for approved college programs
  • Follow-up services for 12 months after program completion
  • Support services
Daniel “Mike” Davis, Panther Youth Partners coordinator
Zory Figueroa, quality assurance specialist
Vickie Penley, program specialist for DeSoto County, located at the DeSoto Campus

  • Case manager
  • Outreach
  • Recruitment of participants and employers
  • Referrals of potential participants for DeSoto County
Isaac Maldonado, program specialist for Hardee County, located at the Hardee Campus

  • Case manager
  • Outreach
  • Recruitment of participants and employers
  • Referrals of potential participants for Hardee County
Eddie Cuencas, program specialist for Highlands County, located on the Highlands Campus

  • Case manager
  • Outreach
  • Recruitment of participants and employers
  • Referrals of potential participants for Highlands County
Antonio James, program specialist for Highlands County, located on the Highlands Campus

  • Case manager
  • Outreach
  • Recruitment of participants and employers
  • Referrals of potential participants for Highlands County
Alexandra Navarrete, program specialist for Okeechobee County, located at Indian River State College

  • Case manager
  • Outreach
  • Recruitment of participants and employers
  • Referrals of potential participants for Okeechobee County
All offices and employees listed are supervised by Dr. Brent Ferns, dean of applied sciences and technology.