CONTACT: Carol Rivchun (216) 566-5445, ext. 229 crivchun@youthopportunities.org
More than 3,400 youth ages 14-18 have been placed in jobs this summer by a collaboration of the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Board of County Commissioners. The project is managed by Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) This public/private summer employment initiative for youth provides three summer job opportunities: a four-week experience with the City of Cleveland Department of Water and/or related departments, a six-week experience with a non-profit agency, school or government office, and a private-sector experience lasting four weeks or more depending on the employer. Youth work 20 hours per week and receive minimum wage.
This summer youth are matched to a number of exciting indoor and outdoor jobs depending on their skills and interests. Outdoor jobs include: improving the local environment by cleaning beaches and distributing anti-pollution information, painting fire hydrants, working as recreation centers aides, and assisting with landscaping. Indoor jobs include: teacher’s aides, junior camp counselors, receptionist, data input, administrative jobs, and light maintenance and service.
Youth Opportunities Unlimited, a non-profit organization based in Cleveland, Ohio, provides youth workforce development programs focused on youth ages 14-19 who live in Cuyahoga County. During the year, Y.O.U. runs after-school and in-school programs that help youth succeed in work, in school, and in life. Y.O.U. has been running summer jobs programs for 25+ years. Training in resiliency skills helps youth overcome societal barriers and focus on academic success, job placement and training in workplace skills motivate youth to succeed in school and set goals, and career and college exploration encourages teens to aim for long-term career success.
The City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County Board of County Commissioners, the Department of Labor, and many others have Y.O.U. manage programs, because they know that the youth will have a meaningful and safe workforce experience, and that the public will be well served with excellent administration. For more information, call (216) 566-5445, ext. 229.