TeensWork Alachua Looking for Teens Who Want to Work this Summer
For Immediate Release – May 11, 2022
Gainesville, FL- TeensWork Alachua is looking for teens who want to work this summer. The Children’s Trust of Alachua County is fully funding the TeensWork Alachua Initiative, which aims to recruit teens for summer jobs.
“TeensWork will provide opportunities to our youth who need a job. It will help prepare them to learn new job skills and make them more marketable in the years ahead,” explained Kristy Goldwire, MSW, Acting Executive Director of the Children’s Trust.
On February 14, 2022, the Board of the Children’s Trust approved two contractors, Goodwill Industries and Minority Business Listings, to manage the summer youth employment program. The contractors will be responsible for marketing, outreach, worksite recruitment, participant recruitment, work readiness training, and job coaching. The Trust is fully funding the initiative, including the salaries of the teens.
Teens from Gainesville can apply to either contractor.
Teens from Archer, Micanopy, La Crosse, and Newberry should apply through Goodwill Industries.
Teens from Alachua, High Springs, Hawthorne, and Waldo should apply through Minority Business Listings.
“Studies have shown that youth who participate in employment programs reduce criminal justice problems compared to those who do not,” said Goldwire.
Goldwire pointed to Alachua County statistics, where the rates of violent crime in Alachua are nearly double that of the State of Florida ((662 versus 381 per 100,000, according to the Florida Department of Health). Youth arrest rates in Alachua County outpace the state of Florida (18.1 versus 13.1 youth arrested per 1,000).
The benefits of summer youth employment programs have been well-known. Frequently, there are increases in self-esteem and confidence, skill and knowledge development, high school graduation rates, reducing criminal behavior, and teen pregnancies among participants.
About the Trust
The Children's Trust of Alachua County provides children's services year-round throughout Alachua County so that children are healthy, educated, supported, and safe. The Children's Trust is a member of the Pritzker Children's Initiative.
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Contact: Daniel J. Douglas
Email: ddouglas@childrenstrustofalachuacounty.us
Phone: 352-374-1825 or 352-647-6253
Website: www.childrenstrustofalachuacounty.us
