“This is the job I’ve always dreamed of.” “I’m learning skills that I can use for the rest of my life.” These are just some of the sentiments expressed by the RochesterWorks Summer Youth Employment workers.
RochesterWorks Summer Employment Program, funded by a combination of federal stimulus money and state TANF funds was able to connect more than 1000 youth between the ages of 14-21 years of age with summer jobs.
One hundred forty seven youth were placed directly in jobs while others received a combination of work experience, academic enrichment, financial literacy, and career exploration. The wages are paid through the stimulus and state dollars so there were no payroll costs to the businesses.
The focus of this program was to expose youth to in-demand careers, a variety of employers and the world of work. An additional goal was to reinforce the relationship between what is learned in school to the skills acquired on the job.
For most of the participants this is their first job and it gives them the opportunity to learn positive work behaviors, communication and presentation skills, time management, goal setting and money management. The work sites are in both the public and private sectors and the jobs range from administrative positions in the Monroe County DA’s office to elder care activities in a hospital setting to working in a “green” capacity in a community garden. Program sites include local community-based, faith-based, and educational organizations. The requirements for participation in this program were rigorous and the participants had to be in-school, meet income eligibility guidelines, attend a Job Readiness Training class, go through a mock job interview and have a parent or guardian attend a program orientation. Students selected for direct worksite placement had to have good attendance and grades in school and receive satisfactory ratings from two separate interviews.
The year’s program runs from July 6 to Augst 28.
If you wish to be considered as a work site for next summer, or if you have the need for an intern during the 2009-2010 school year, please contact Giannina Naylon at RochesterWorks!, 585-262-7521, for more information.
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