Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry Provides Summer Work for Area Youth

Today, Friday, May 29, 2009, Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry announced the implementation of a summer youth training and work experience program that will provide paid work experience opportunities to approximately 900 area youth, ages 14-24.

In February 2009, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to preserve and create jobs, promote economic recovery and to assist those most impacted by the nation's recession. A portion of the act mandates that local workforce programs offer summer youth work experience opportunities to disadvantaged and disconnected youth.

The County of Summit will be using $1.5 million in ARRA dollars to fund the workforce training and experience effort. The Department of Job and Family Services' Division of Workforce Development will be collaborating with the following community-based organizations to facilitate the program:

• Akron Public Schools; 330-761-1661
• Akron Urban League, Schools-In Program; 330-434-3101
• County of Summit, Youth Employment for Success (YES) Program; 330-643-8014
• East Akron Community House, EDGE Program; 330-773-6838
• JOG Our Way Workforce Advocacy for Youth; 330-374-9445

"Participants will be paid minimum wage, $7.30 per hour, and will be asked to work 20 hours per week," stated Jill Weingart, director of the Division of Workforce Development. "This program will be of great benefit to youth already active in the workforce agencies, or who were previously put onto a wait list. Due to the economy, space is very limited."

"Program providers will perform a personal assessment to obtain the participant's skill and ability level, as well as career interests," said Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry. "They will also train these young members of the local workforce on the topics of professional conduct, appropriate dress, work ethic and responsible behavior."

Youth interested in participating in the program must be 14 - 24 years of age, meet the federal financial eligibility requirements and have one or more of the following barriers to success in education and/or employment:

• Behind a Grade Level
• Deficient in Basic Literary Skills (Reading, Math, or Language)
• Demonstrating Behavioral Problems
• Disabled
• Homeless, Runaway or Foster Child
• Law Offenders
• Pregnant and/or Parenting
• Receiving Substance Abuse and/or Mental Health Counseling
• Truancy Problems and Dropouts

Under the Workforce Investment Act, 5% of youth program participants do not have to meet the low income eligibility criteria, provided that they have one of the barriers mentioned above.

"We are very excited to offer this summer work experience to area youth," added Pry. "I hope this opportunity leads participants down educational pathways that will promote long term career success."

For more information on the summer youth training and work experiences being offered, contact the partnering community organizations listed in the text above.