We would like to take the time to recognize and thank everyone involved in this summer's youth employment programs. First, we would like to thank Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) for their hard work and dedication as the program's coordinator. We were fortunate enough to have close to sixty private-sector employers and community partners host the youth this summer funded by over $790,000 worth of grants. Not only were the youth each provided with 175 hours of work, but also 8 hours of readiness training before starting their jobs and individual assistance with planning for "next steps", such as job searching, resume writing and learning interview skills. It is our hope that the youth came away from the summer employment program with new skills and a better understanding of what happens in a workplace.  

Click here for a full list of employers and community partners that participated in the 2011 YouthWorks program.

Also, many thanks to the Bay State Savings Bank and Sovereign Bank who helped the participants with financial literacy, cash their checks and even open their own accounts.

The program wouldn't have had such a large number of participants if it weren't for the Worcester Public Schools, community partners and youth serving organizations, the Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Youth Services for recruiting the youth. Thank you to these organizations from aiding the success of the youth employment programs.

A special thanks goes out the Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board members that helped support the program, the City of Worcester, UMass Memorial Health Care and Worcester Interfaith for all their help this summer, as well as the Commonwealth Corporation and of course the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for making this firm commitment to our economic future during these difficult times.

Finally, thank you to all the participants for their hard work and dedication to their summer jobs.

Please feel free to explore some youth success stories featured in this month's special edition eNewsletter.

Thanks,

Rosalie P. Lawless

CMWIB Chair