July 2022 – To provide assistance and expertise in managing Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board (WFWIB) youth programming, the WFWIB has selected Madeline Butina to serve as its new Youth Program Specialist.

Butina is an Ohio University class of 2021 graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Journalism. With a specialization in Outdoor Recreation and a certification in Festivals, Events, and Entertainment Management, Butina served as a Children’s Wellness Coordinator for 11 months in the AmeriCorps Program Live Healthy Appalachia. In this role, Butina engaged in over 1,700 hours of service and training in event and nonprofit management, community wellness, education, training, diversity, and volunteer coordination.

With the knowledge and skills developed through Live Healthy Appalachia, Butina holds directly applicable experience for the WFWIB’s Youth Program Specialist position. In this new role, she will work closely with the WFWIB’s Programmatic Team to implement, oversee, and develop youth programming for youth as young as elementary school to as mature as post-secondary education. Specifically, Butina will monitor youth program provider progress, ensure program milestones are met, record program outcomes, and provide regular program updates and financial status reports. Beyond youth programs, Butina will assist with other WFWIB programs pertaining to local educators, school administrators, employers, adults, and more. Butina will additionally be involved in the WFWIB’s procurement and contracting processes for youth programming.

“We are happy to have Madeline join the team as our new Youth Program Specialist,” shared WFWIB Executive Director Janet Ward. “She most recently completed a position with AmeriCorps in Ohio and moved back home to take this position. Her passion and commitment stood out to us and we couldn’t be happier for her to start making an impact by working to connect our local youth and young adults with our employers and businesses.”

The Youth Program Specialist position is a newly designed position for the WFWIB to assist in the overall management and development of WFWIB programming, specifically Business Education Partnership and Teacher In the Workplace initiatives. This position is to be funding through at least June 2023.

“I’m passionate about connecting youth to their communities, which is something I’m eager to do in my new role at the WFWIB,” shared Butina. “I’m happy to have joined this team of awesome people, and I look forward to all that my new role will encompass!”

As the Youth Program Specialist, Madeline Butina will assist the entire WFWIB staff in offering additional program management and coordination. This will ensure programs meet intended goals and improve the lives of youth across the Westmoreland-Fayette County area.