Support Our Youth and Families November 2019 | Page 6

CITY OF ARLINGTON WATER UTILITIES
ARLINGTON WATER UTILITIES OFFERS
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOSTER YOUTH
The City of Arlington and Fort Worth-based ACH Child and Family Services have teamed
up with the Texas Workforce Commission to offer young people transitioning out of
foster care the opportunity to earn on-the-job training that could lead to a career in the
water utilities industry.
Attracting and retaining talented employees is a consistent concern for the water utilities industry, especially as
estimates show more and more retirements by baby boomers in the coming years. Nationally, industry groups like
the American Water Works Association have championed specialized programs that seek to attract young people and
veterans to stable, challenging utilities careers. Locally, internships for high school and college interns are offered at
Arlington Water Utilities and other municipal utilities in North Texas.
James Doonkeen, a maintenance supervisor in Arlington Water Utilities treatment division, saw an opportunity to
expand these programs when he heard about ACH’s goal of helping former foster children find a career path. He
approached department leaders with the idea in 2018 and
worked with them to make it a reality. The City of Arlington
Water Utilities is the first department in the City to partner with
Through the new partnership with Arlington Water Utilities, ACH and the Workforce Commission to offer an internship for
the Texas Workforce Commission will fund internships for those exiting the foster care system.
young people who live in the ACH facility in Fort Worth and are
enrolled in transitional services for those “aging-out” of foster “We can offer training, and the goal is for them to get a license.
care. The youth will work as meter readers and in other water We hope we have openings here that they can transition
operations functions, with the goal of earning certification as into. But if we can’t, they can go anywhere and a license
a water operator from the Texas Commission on Environment will help them get a job,” says Craig Gantt, Arlington Water
Quality (TCEQ). Utilities Acting Assistant Director for Operations. “It’s a great
opportunity for them to make connections and be mentored.”
With many lacking a family support system, entering the
workforce and adjusting to adult life can be difficult for young Ryder Coffman is 20 years old and started interning at the
adults coming out of the foster care system. Unfortunately, water department this spring as the first participant in the new
about 25% of those aging out without help experience program. He has been in foster care for more than 5 years
homelessness and/or the criminal justice system by age 22. and has lived at ACH since he turned 18. Currently, he arrives
That’s why the Texas Department of Family and Protective at work in Arlington at 7 a.m. each day and heads out to read
Services offers transitional living services like job-seeking customers’ water meters. So far, he likes the work.
support and housing for men and women ages 18-21. The
programs are administered by community organizations like “It depends on if you can take the heat. It’s pretty easy if you
ACH. have the patience,” Coffman said. He reads as many as 350
meter a day. Getting to know his co-workers and seeing what
The new internship partnership blossomed from ACH’s it takes to meet the requirements of a job has been beneficial,
commitment to finding opportunities for transitioning foster Coffman says. Later, he’ll learn about installing the meters and
children and Arlington Water’s desire to expose young people to fixing water main breaks.
job prospects in the water industry, says Michelle Mullenix, ACH
Director of Youth and Family Services.
At the end of the program, Coffman and other employees will
test for and receive a Class D Water Operator License from
“Arlington water department leaders are passionate about TCEQ with the possibility to receive further training through a
working with the community,” Mullenix says. “This was an partnership with Tarrant County College.
opportunity to help young men and women from hard situations
have a chance at a career as well as helping give back to the
community. The water department also provides mentorship to
these young men and women by communicating with the staff
at ACH Child and Family Services any areas of growth these
young men and women might need to work on.”
“I THINK IT’S DEFINITELY GOING TO GIVE
ME MORE EXPERIENCE AND PROBABLY
GIVE ME MORE OPPORTUNITIES. IT WILL
OPEN UP A LOT OF DOORS.”
RYDER COFFMAN • PROGRAM PARTICIPANT