Sacramento launches new #SacYouthWorks summer jobs corps program for neighborhood teens
This post is one in a series, Sacramento for All, highlighting what the City of Sacramento is doing under the leadership of Mayor Darrell Steinberg to lift all its neighborhoods and residents. All told, the City has spent about $80 million over the last year and a half in Measure U and CARES Act funding to help struggling neighborhoods, provide activities and training for youth, help Sacramento families, reduce homelessness and create more affordable housing Another $42.1 million in federal stimulus funds remains to be allocated.
Four hundred teenagers throughout Sacramento will work on service projects related to Covid-19 from July 13 through the end of August in return for a $400 stipend funded by federal stimulus dollars.
The young people are being brought into #SacYouthWorks through 21 community-based organizations contracted on behalf of the City by Pro Youth & Families, which has been working with Sacramento youth for 40 years.
The program is being funded by $240,000 approved by the Sacramento City Council from the federal CARES Act, passed by Congress to mitigate the harm caused by Covid-19, which includes the loss of many traditional summer jobs and programs.
“One of the key ingredients is to engage young people who need it most,” said Lindee Lane, the City’s Youth Development Policy Manager. Participants must come from an economically disadvantaged zip code or be considered at-risk for another reason, such as being in foster care.
“What we did was reach out to the non-profit organizations that are working with the most vulnerable populations,” said Staci Anderson, President and CEO of Pro Youth & Families. “Kids can get paid, they can put money on their table for their families and really be able to get some workplace experience.”
Teens will receive 20 hours of instruction aimed at getting them ready for the workplace. Their job assignments will involve responding to the impacts of Covid-19 in some way, such as packaging food for delivery to seniors. Some will act as Census ambassadors to people who have not yet responded to the Census.
About 40 teens will be trained as “mental health champions” so they can provide support in virtual conversations to other young people and children in the community.
#SacYouthWorks has limited spots still available for youth to participate. Please contact sacyouthworks@youthandfamilycollective.org to inquire and be connected with one of the #SacYouthWorks youth organizations.
