Pontiac, Mich. – A Pontiac nonprofit is turning community concerns into a summer opportunity for local teens.
Dream Centers of Michigan is launching a new pilot program to keep young people busy, off the streets, and prepared for the workforce, all while earning a paycheck.
The Summer Youth Employment Program will give 10 Pontiac teens, ages 14 to 17, hands-on experience as classroom assistants in the organization’s Kids Club summer program.
Participants will earn $12.50 an hour and receive training in skills they can use in any career field.
Antoine Jackson, executive director of Dream Centers of Michigan, said the program was created after two years of conversations with parents and residents about what they want for their children.
“They’ll learn conflict resolution, they’ll also learn professional development,” Jackson said. “Part of the requirement is they’ll participate in a 12-hour training on how to show up professionally, how to create a résumé.”
“ It’s a program,” Terria Hayes, a mother of five children with two teens, said. “This is something she’s excited for.”
“A lot of times in Pontiac, there’s nothing for the teens between the ages of 14 and 17,” Terria said. “There’s not a lot of opportunity of things for them to do.”
She said the lack of structured activities in the summer often leads older kids to trouble.
That’s why she plans to have her teens apply.
“They can actually look forward to doing a career,” Hayes said.
Beyond classroom experience and job training, organizers hope the program will help teens build confidence and social skills.
Something Terria’s daughter Autumn, said will be helpful if she gets accepted into the program.
“It’ll definitely help me engage with people and get out of the house more,” said Autumn.
Her mother believes it could be a turning point and hopes it will help her daughter get a launch pad into a more successful life than she had.
“I don’t want them to struggle,” Terria said.
Financial literacy is also built into the five-week curriculum.
Students will be required to open an account with Genisys Credit Union, giving them firsthand experience managing their own earnings.
Applications close June 5.
If you want more information on how to apply, click here.