Program provides summer jobs for more than 200 local youths
BY CHRISTINE WON
christine.won@journaltimes.com | Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009 12:00 am
SOMERS - More than 200 area youths started their first day of work Monday.
The Racine County Workforce Development Center's eight-week Youth Employment and Training program, which on Monday was renamed Employing Youth, Engaging Racine, Enriching Earth, or E3, kicked off at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 900 Wood Road.
"The program will prepare the youth to be the work force we need in this 21st century economy," said Racine County Executive William McReynolds.
For the program the center partnered with more than 15 local agencies to use about $450,000 in federal stimulus funds and $100,000 in local contributions (more than $70,000 from the city of Racine and the rest from local groups). The funds provided "green jobs" this summer to more than 200 youths, ages 14 to 24, at work sites throughout the county.
The youths will work four hours a day Monday through Thursday and receive training on Fridays at $7.25 an hour for workers and $8.25 an hour for crew leaders. They will be assigned to work sites after the two weeks of training.
"We will look to assess the return on investment in terms of money saved by businesses and homeowners and the environmental impact for the county as a result of the work they're doing," said Mark Gesner, the center's youth team leader.
Green jobs include removing invasive species at city parks, working on rain gardens to help water runoff, installing energy-efficient light bulbs and educating the public about green ways.
"This will be a great life experience, learning about the go-green stuff you can use outside the workplace," said Emily Wolfrum, 16, of Wind Lake. "I'm looking forward to learning something new, rather than something like washing dishes."
Youths will also be trained in critical thinking, resume writing and money management as well as presentation skills, among many others necessary to prepare them to be ready for work.
Racine Mayor John Dickert stressed what the participants do this summer is important to the city and told them to never give up their dreams.
Khalid Oates, 15, of Racine, hopes to become a neurosurgeon. The Employing Youth, Engaging Racine, Enriching Earth assignment is his second job and a step toward his dream. He hopes to learn financial responsibility.
"I'm going to help around the house so my dad won't have to buy me anything," said Khalid, who plans to buy school supplies with the money he earns this summer.
"I'm a big go-green person," said Liz Steinhaus, 15, of Wind Lake. "I'm excited to give back to the community."