The participants of this program will be between the ages of 14-24 and will provide training skills and work experience.
The students work a minimum of 120 hours and a maximum of 240 hours with public, non-profit and for-profit businesses within the Community and are paid minimum wage, Principal Management Analyst of Riverside, Cindie Perry said in an e-mail interview.
At the City of Riverside, some student workers have been placed at Park and Recreation facilities and libraries. Others are learning firsthand about the many environmental programs the City offers through its Public Utilities Electric and Water divisions and Public Works Recycling and Wastewater divisions.
“Many of us recall that first summer job,” Perry said. “While we may not have realized it at that time, a summer job provides lessons in understanding a hard day’s work, personal budgeting, the responsibility of being punctual and other professional skills such as proper attire, and workplace etiquette.”
According to a press release from the City of Riverside, “This is made possible by the unprecedented economic stimulus package, the ‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’ (ARRA), which provides the EDA with additional funding to implement the Summer Youth Employment Program.”
Perry stated, “In years past, the City of Riverside funded its own Summer Youth Program using City dollars.”
However, thanks to funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the City was able to take advantage of workforce development funding directly allocated to Riverside County Economic Development Agency (EDA) through the Riverside County Workforce Development Board (WDB).
Riverside County then made funds available to its cities and businesses through a Request for Proposal (grant) process.
Perry went on to say that the City of Riverside received $605,000, which is being used to employ the youth.
“The classroom training is provided by supervisors and will provide youth with the tools they need to get that next job. In addition, SYEP serves as economic stimulus for our City. This is an additional $600,000 potentially injected right back into our community.”
These youth are welcoming the opportunity to help Riverside and have meaningful summer work.
“We believe that this experience will generate positive life lessons and future opportunity for 200 youth in these difficult economic times. We hope with this program, we are helping to grow future leaders for our communities,” Perry said.
Staff reports on the City of Riverside, as well as many others are posted on PublicCEO.com. Click here for resolution and here for the memorandum.
Louis Dettorre can be reached at ldettorre@publicceo.com