April 20 Deadline Set For Summer Job Program

BRIDGEPORT — Thanks to the federal stimulus package, communities across the country will be offering summer youth employment opportunities this year. The YouthWorks-2009 Earn & Learn Summer Employment Program is a project of The WorkPlace, Inc, and is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

In Southwestern Connecticut, the YouthWorks-2009 Earn & Learn Summer Employment Program will give priority to the neediest youth. For the region overall, it is the goal of The WorkPlace, Inc to hire approximately 900 youth. A minimum of 30 percent of the participants must be “out of school youth” (meaning not enrolled during the school year).

The Summer Youth Employment Program will pay youth ages 14–24-for 20–25 hours per week at minimum wage for up to seven weeks starting July 6 or after. There may be a lottery if the number of youth applicants exceeds the available work sites.

Active recruitment for work sites is underway. Businesses, nonprofit organizations, or municipalities/local government may hire a youth for the summer at no cost to the company. Guidelines for work sites are that summer youth cannot replace laid-off employees. In addition, the ARRA specifically excludes the following recreation-oriented sites: swimming pools, golf courses, aquariums, zoos and casinos.

The YouthWorks-2009 Earn & Learn Summer Employment Program creates excellent opportunities for local youth to gain meaningful work experience while earning some needed income for their families during these lean economic times. For participating businesses and agencies, the program provides motivated youth who have completed work readiness preparation. By hosting one or more youth through this program, the work site gets needed work done without incurring costs. Collectively, the community benefits by developing its young workforce.

For more information, contact Nestor Leon at 203-610-8556 or nleon@workplace.org.

Federal guidelines and eligibility requirements must be met in order for a youth to participate in the program. Preapplications are available by visiting www.workplace.org, under “Events,” and must be received by 4:30 pm on April 20.