By Kathy Chouteau
Want to make a major difference in the lives of local youth via on-the-job experience? The City of Richmond’s YouthWORKS’ Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is seeking local businesses and nonprofits interested in hosting city youth ages 16-21 years old for work experiences in safe environments this summer. Richmond youth are also invited to apply to the program.
According to YouthWORKS/RichmondWORKS’ Bouakhay Phongboupha in a statement, participating businesses and organizations “will be able to provide guidance and training for youth in our community” and also will help them “develop positive work habits, attitudes and the valuable job skills necessary to enter the workforce prepared and qualified to be productive employees.”
As part of the arrangement with Richmond employers, the SYEP will pay all wages, taxes, workman’s compensation and will cover liability, etc. The youths’ jobs can be part-time or full- time, but YouthWORKS asks that employers provide at least 100 hours of meaningful work. “Our goal is to at least put $1,521 in gross wages in the youth’s pocket this summer,” stated Phongboupha.
Youth are provided at no charge to nonprofits, churches and government agencies, per YouthWORKS, however, for-profit businesses are requested to make a donation equivalent to the youths’ wages for the placement ($1,521). To fill out the online application to host a Richmond youth as an employee this summer, click here.
Richmond youth ages 16-21 years old who are interested in career path summer employment can apply here by 5 p.m. April 20, 2021 or “when the first 60 completed applications are received” per YouthWORKS.
Questions? Contact Bouakhay Phongboupha at [email protected] or 510-307-8050 or visit YouthWORKS at 330 25th St. in Richmond.
