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Union County Freeholder Board and United Way of Union County Partner in Summer Youth Employment Program

Through funding from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Workforce Development Board, youth aged 16-24 will receive paid summer jobs and 4 hours a week of work readiness training

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the United Way of Union County are pleased to announced that the 2019 Youth Employment Pathways Program Summer Initiative will begin June 2019 this year.

The program provides at-risk youth in Union County with summer jobs and work readiness training. It is funded by the Freeholder Board and the Union County Workforce Development Board, through a grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development,

In 2018 YEPP provided summer jobs for 175 Union County residents, ages 16-24. This year, the program has expanded with additional funding. It is expected to provide employment for more than 200 youth in 2019.

The program provides youth with a part time summer job with additional workforce and life skills training, preparing them for employment after the summer. Positions are also available for youth seeking work over the summer, who anticipate returning to school in the fall.

 “The Freeholder Board is very proud of all the young people who participated in YEPP last year. With their enthusiastic embrace of the opportunity to work and develop their skills, they demonstrated that it is an effective program that deserves to continue and engage with more youth,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

“I would like to thank United Way for their stewardship of the program, enabling it to grow and motivating our youth to begin pursuing their dreams. It is important to recognize the opportunities offered to these youth not only prepares them financially for college but also serves to support their families,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is the liaison to the Union County Workforce Development Board.

The YEPP Summer program was part of Freeholder Granados’ initiatives in 2018, when he served as Chairman that year. The program aims to provide at-risk youth with skills that will provide a bridge from part-time summer employment to a full time job or career path.

YEPP recruits private employers in high-growth industries to provide workforce opportunities for the participants. In addition to learning new skills and exploring new career options, the participants receive life skills training including employee benefits, work readiness, resume building, financial literacy, and more.

“We are proud to continue expanding services for Union County Youth,” said James Horne, President and CEO of UWGUC. “This program will help our youth develop the skills necessary to succeed in school, training, and work.”

This summer youth will benefit from the program by working 20 to 25 hours a week at the rate of $10.50 per hour. They will also participate in four hours of work readiness training weekly. All together, approximately 200 youth are expected to enroll in the program during the summer.

Union County youth who are interested in enrolling in the YEPP Summer Initiative can get more information by visiting United Way online at uwguc.org/yepp, or contact Lina Rivas at 908.353.7171 ext. 131 or Lina.Rivas@uwguc.org

About United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC)

United Way of Greater Union County provides critical resources to children and families in need throughout greater Union County, North Plainfield and South Plainfield.  The organization works to improve lives and build strong communities, by focusing on key areas in education, income stability, health and family strengthening. UWGUC is a pre-eminent community-based leader, partner and investment choice in these communities.  More information about United Way of Greater Union County’s work in the community can be found online at uwguc.org.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

 

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