Jun 24, 2009 6:44 pm US/Eastern
Stimulus Money Helping Teens Get Summer Jobs
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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For many young people, the scramble for a summer job is an annual event and the recession has made it even harder this year. (File)
CBS
For many young people, the scramble for a summer job is an annual event and the recession has made it even harder this year. But a city-run program aimed at helping lower-income teens is at least giving them a chance.
Hundreds of teenagers, fresh off the end of school, lined up the block on one Lower East Side street on Wednesday.
Together, the teens waited to get inside the job fair at the Henry Street Settlement House where recruiters were on hand to pitch their companies to potential employees.
"The program uses web design, animation and a little bit of everything," one employer said.
In addition to being an opportunity to get their first job, some say it's a chance for some independence.
"Now I can get my own stuff instead of relying on my mom," Tatyanna Santana told CBS 2.
This summer, the program is putting more kids to work than it has in a decade, which is good news for kids who've been shut out in the past.
"I just sat through the whole summer at home doing nothing," said Tommy Ho.
One teenager said that there's been a noticeable upgrade to the program.
"It's a miracle, something must've really changed this year," said Lois Pine.
There definitely was a change. The program received $27 million in federal stimulus money for this year that offset city cuts and added 8,000 more slots.
"It's a win-win," Nancy Wackstein of United Neighborhood Houses said. "It's a win for the young people, it's a win for their communities, and it's a win for their families."
Unfortunately, the stimulus money was a one-time incident. Advocates said that they will battle for permanent federal funding since it's uncertain how many jobs will be available each year.
"Every summer, it's like a gamble," Pine said. "Are we going to get a job or not? It's stressful for teens."
But for this summer at least, more kids will have jobs and parents will have peace of mind.
"He'll have his own money, he'll be able to do what he wants and I'll know where he's at eight hours a day," said parent Victoria Walker.
The key to landing one of these positions is timing: The application process for the program begins back in April.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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