Genesee chamber of commerce's summer youth jobs program
returns thanks to funding from C.S. Mott Foundation

By Kristyn Peterson | The Flint Journal
April 16, 2008

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- There's good news for students looking to earn a few dollars over the summer.

About 450 jobs soon will be available from the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual Summer Youth Initiative for ninth-12th grade students ages 14-18.

The $775,000 program is funded through the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and pays students to work with local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Students are paid about minimum wage and work for 10 weeks with area businesses and nonprofits.

Last year, students worked at daycamps to help educate younger children, for landscape companies on beautification projects, and with construction companies to renovatehomes, said Rhetta Hunyady, the group vice president of operations and employer education and training at the chamber.

"The agencies the teens work for have a significant impact on the community," Hunyady said. "Without the teens as employees and running the programs, those services would not be available in the community."

Last year, 21 business and nonprofits employed the teens, Hunyady said.

More than 500 students completed the TeenQuest Pre-Employement Leadership Training course, a six-week class sponsored by the chamber and a prerequisite for Summer Youth Initiative employment.

Students who participated in the program in 2006 or 2007 also are eligible to apply this summer.

Students also must volunteer to work on a community service project at least one day during the summer, Hunyady said.

"Everything they do helps them to become a better student, worker, son or daughter," Hunyady said.

The foundation has donated more than $7 million to the program in the 13 years since it was created.

Applications are being accepted until April 25 and are available at the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, 519 S. Saginaw St. in Flint, or by calling (810) 600-1413.

www.mlive.com