Summer program creates 696 jobs for low-income youth

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) placed 696 youth in jobs this summer at 187 different jobs sites in Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties. Youth worked a total of 106,796 hours earning more than $1.1 million in wages. Ninety-three percent of the youth made gains in work readiness skills, a key goal of the program.

Seventy-four percent returned to their educational pursuits at the conclusion of the program. Some 68 older, out-of-school youth will have the opportunity to continue in a work experience this fall to further develop their skills and to receive support in a transition plan that moves them to employment or post-secondary enrollment at the conclusion of their program.

Youth participating in the program were low-income and had no or limited work experience. They also had other challenges such as being a drop-out, involvement with the court system, disabilities, homeless, pregnant or parenting, limited English, or part of the foster care system.

Click here for a detailed program report.