Stimulus Money Puts Metro Young People to Work

OMAHA (KPTM) -- The competition is fierce and the jobs are numbered. Experts say the recession has made landing a summer gig that much more difficult for metro teenagers. Now federal stimulus dollars are putting some of those people to work.

23-year-old Christina Jasper knows the struggle. "It's real hard to find a job," she said. "Real hard. Real hard."

Jasper has been out of work since last fall, but recently landed a summer job with the Omaha Housing Authority. "It's real good. It's a blessing actually that it came along," she said.

Jasper is one of hundreds of young people who will be making $7.25 an hour, thanks to the city of Omaha's Summer Youth Program. "We've had a lot of young people who have come across our doors who have been looking for employment and just haven't landed anything because of the state of the economy," said Goodwill Industries Youth Services Manager Elizabeth Startzer.

$1.6 million worth of federal stimulus money is funding the program. To qualify, job seekers must be between 16 and 24 years old, prove they're low income and face an obstacle like being a single parent or high school dropout. "The kids who are coming to us, most of them have never had a job before and we want to provide them with a quality opportunity to where they learn those skills that are going to make them successful if they do go out to find a permanent job," Startzer said.

The young people are being placed in a variety of positions with non-profit organizations. Some will work at Goodwill retail locations. "They range anywhere from working parks and recreation to working at the Boys and Girls Club, being a program aide, to a clerical position working with Health and Human Services," Startzer said.

They're temporary jobs and temporary paychecks designed to stimulate the economy and help young people build a resume. "When you need a job and you can't find one and for the people to be helping you in the community, that's real good," Jasper said.

Some teenagers start their jobs as early as next Tuesday. They'll work twenty to forty hours a week for ten to fifteen weeks in Douglas, Sarpy and Washington Counties.

It's not too late to get involved in the program. More than 100 of 450 total jobs are still available. To see if you or someone you know qualifies, just call Goodwill Industries. The number is 951-2920. You can also visit http://www.goodwillomaha.org/arsummeryouth.html