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ESD 114

Summer Youth Workers Gain Confidence, Experience, References and Cash

Crystal Hill, OESD 114 Youth Services Director, is managing the Summer Youth Employment Program that has successfully put 204 youth to work in our tri-county area to date, (120 in Kitsap, 72 in Clallam and 12 in Jefferson) at 89 different businesses.

Jonathan Diehl hoists a 40-pound bag of pool salt over his shoulder, his supervisor Paul Noakes nods his approval. Noakes, maintenance supervisor at the Bremerton Tennis and Athletic Club, has witnessed Jonathan’s strong muscles and accompanying work ethic every day since the young man began his summer job at the club. New to the area, Jonathan applied for his job through the OESD’s new Summer Youth Employment Program, a program that is helping Jonathan achieve his goals.

Jonathan had planned to enroll at Olympic College this fall, but he wasn’t sure if he could swing it as finances were tight. But then he applied for work and was hired through the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), a new statewide program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded through the Olympic Workforce Development Council (OWDC) and operated by the Olympic Educational Service District 114. President Obama signed the Act on February 17, 2009, with the intention to preserve and create jobs, promote the national economic recovery, and to assist those most impacted by the recession.

The goal of the Olympic ESD 114 Summer Youth Employment Program is to provide over 200 young people living in Kitsap, Clallam and Jefferson Counties with the opportunity to gain valuable work training and experience and earn up to $1,800. Participants must reside in Kitsap, Clallam or Jefferson counties to participate.

The program was announced May 1, with a target date of July 6 for the six-week term of employment. In that short window of time, Crystal Hill, OESD 114 Youth Services Director, was able to pull together a program that has successfully put 204 youth to work in our tri-county area to date, (120 in Kitsap, 72 in Clallam and 12 in Jefferson) at 89 different businesses.

The support of our business community has been key to the success of this program, said Hill. These businesses are giving our young people a meaningful opportunity to gain experience, references and a paycheck. In return, our young adults have embraced the program.

Participants in the SYEP must be between the ages of 16-24 years old; reside within the tri-county area served by OWDC and meet income eligibility requirements set by the federal government. They must also undergo employer interviews and provide resumes and references, at the employer’s request. Once youth are matched and accepted by a community business, they can work up to 32 hours per week. Wages are paid by the SYEP.

Participants can also attend a series of workshops, conducted weekly in each county by staff and representatives from local businesses and organizations. All SYEP workers are encouraged to attend these workshops, where they learn about job skills, career choices, financial planning and more.

For me, (the program) has been really helpful, said Jonathan. I like landscaping and working outside, and they found me a job that really matched me to my interests. It will add to my resume and experience and help me pay for college in the fall.

Scott Coleman, general manager of the Bremerton Tennis & Athletic Club, said “We are very happy to have Jonathan working at BTAC. Just in the past two weeks the work that he has done has been noticed by our membership. This program has given us the opportunity to take steps to enhance our member experience. I think that this program is outstanding and we are glad to be participating.”

For more information about the SYEP, contact Crystal Hill, OESD 114 Youth Services Director at 360.337.4781 or email at chill@esd.wa.gov.