Free Youth Employment Program Seeks Businesses to Host At-Risk Teens

A Tri-Cities youth employment program is looking for local businesses to help train at-risk teens and young adults — at no financial cost to employers.

The county-funded Highway to Work program has more than 50 local youth ready to work but not enough businesses to host them, program coordinators said.

“We have no discrimination toward any kind of work,” youth employment coordinator Gregory Steward said.

Steward said the program is ideal for independent businesses who could use assistance in the struggling economy.  

To be eligible, businesses must provide a safe environment and offer meaningful and worthwhile work experience for up to 30 hours in the summer and 10 hours year-round for youth ages 15 to 21.

Currently, about 30 businesses in Fremont, Newark and Union City are hosting interns through the free program.

Headed by Union City’s Youth and Family Services staff and held in collaboration with the Oakland Private Industry Council, Highway to Work is funded by Social Services and Workforce Investment Board grants to serve foster youth and youth probationers. The county grants pay for the entirety of the employee wages.

“Our youth face many challenges and we know that employment offers a positive alternative to these realities,” Youth and Family Services said.

In addition to the on-site work experience provided by local businesses, Youth and Family Services will provide weekly workshops on job readiness, life skills and other topics tailored to the needs of youth and employers. Youth and Family Services will also provide counseling, mentoring and case management.

The summer program runs until Sept. 30 in which time interns can work up to 30 hours a week. A year-round afterschool program follows, with youth available to work up to 10 hours each week. Participating youth are paid $8 an hour through the county for the hours they work and workshops they attend.

Businesses interested in the program can contact:

• Fabiola Camarillo (Union City area): 510 453-6539 / fabiolac@unioncity.org
• Larry Ewings (Fremont area): 510 453-6538 / larrye@unioncity.org
• Greg Steward (Newark area): 510 453-6956 / Gregs@unioncity.org

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