PITTSBURGH (May 24, 2010) — Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato today announced more than 1,000 summer jobs for income-eligible youth and young adults, ages 14 through 24, as a result of a second year of funding provided through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Allegheny County will be able to draw up to $5.2 million from the TANF Emergency Fund, established by the ARRA, through September 30 to pay participant wages.
“The Allegheny County Summer Employment Program for Youth & Young Adults will provide more than 1,000 young people with good summer jobs, many of which will focus on our green initiatives,” said Onorato. “Summer job programs prepare youth and young adults for success in the workforce and foster solid and safe communities. It’s a win-win situation for young people and Allegheny County as a whole.”
The summer job program is open to income-eligible youth between the ages of 14 and 24 who live in Allegheny County outside the City of Pittsburgh (the city also has a summer youth jobs program). Emphasis will be placed on disadvantaged youth or those from low-income communities. Foster care youth and alumni will also be given special consideration.
“In this, our second year of funding through ARRA, we hope to double the number of youth having summer jobs over last year’s number,” said DHS Director Marc Cherna. “It will not only allow us to provide new and better opportunities for our youth, but it will enhance what we already have in place through the Department of Human Services. Many of the summer jobs will strengthen the efforts of our non-profit agencies, support our green initiatives and provide on-the-job training. Most importantly, they will help youth, such as those who are in foster care, to develop skills to carry them into their adult lives.”
The programs range from four to 10 weeks in length, and the specific age of eligibility varies with each program. Many of the summer programs follow the County’s green initiative and focus on environmental projects, such as landscaping, gardening and conservation. Others are geared more toward training and work experience in child care, health education, first-aid and money management. All of the programs serve to build good work habits, as well a problem solving and social skills for future employment.
Information about specific eligibility requirements for the various summer employment opportunities, as well as a downloadable pre-application, is available on the Allegheny County Department of Human Services website at www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/wiayouth.aspx.
Information about the Allegheny County Summer Employment Program for Youth & Young Adults is also available at the Forest Hills CareerLink office located at 2040 Ardmore Boulevard or by calling the Forest Hills CareerLink Youth Hotline at 412-436-2237.
Pre-applications are also available at PA CareerLink offices and summer youth program sites. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply directly to the program of their choice.
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