LEVELINGTHE PLAYING FIELD OF YOUTH EMPLOY-MENT

In Saint Louis, it is extremely difficult for teenagers to find

employment without connections , important

resources , and the right motivation

Also, employers are less likely to take a chance on

younger employees , even though they have

the potential to be an asset to businesses

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Consider the many benefits of youth employment…

WHY DO WE CARE

IMMEDIATE IMPACT

Working a job over the summer months student vastly diminishes the chances of dropping out of school, using drugs, or committing crime.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Businesses gain talented, motivated workers by hiring younger employees.

LASTING IMPACT

Employment provides teenagers with self confidence, real world experience, and valuable connections, preparing them for a bright future.

Help Wanted provides high school teenagers with the opportunity

to work a summer job in the Saint Louis

Area.

WHAT DO WE DO?

Our program consists of three essential phases:

HOW DO WE DO IT?

Recruit Teach Empower

Help Wanted will go to Saint Louis City High schools and raise awareness of the program through speeches, posters, faculty, and information sessions.

We will then encourage 11 th and 12th graders interested in the program to apply who meet a GPA requirement and secure teacher recommendations.

Finally, we select the best 10 applicants from each school to participate in the program.

RECRUIT

Recruit Teach Empower

Students will attend a two-week, 20 hour training course at their high schools that will target the following areas:

TEACH

Recruit Teach Empower

Drug Testing

Resume Building

BackgroundCheck

Targeted Employme

nt

Graduates of the training program will be assigned to an employer.

Graduates will work full time at their employer for two months.

We will check in with each student and each employer regularly to prevent problems from occurring.

EMPOWER

Recruit Teach Empower

Yes, but not in Saint Louis.

HAS IT BEEN DONE BEFORE?

•A Los Angeles program designed to help students build skills for a successful career.

Youthsource

•Combines the power of government, local organizations and businesses to offer youth summer jobs.

One Summer Chicago

•San Francisco program helping youth secure paid internships in city government offices.

SF Youth Works

WHY WILL BUSINESSES AGREE TO THIS?

Hire Better Employees

• No longer have to screen, drug-test, and background check incoming employees.

Improve Image

• Business are able to advertise that they are helping the overall community.

We networked some local businesses. Here’s who verbally agreed to participate in this program given it did exist .

WHAT KINDS OF BUSINESSES?

Ted Drewes Waterway Carwash Six Flags

Our costs are as follows:

COSTS

Yes, here’s how.

CHARGING BUSINESSES We charge the business 10-30% of the students paycheck per

week. We also charge a “head hunting” fee.

EXPANSION Over the 5-year period, our organization will gain both

students and credibility.

PROSPECT OF DONATIONS While we have not included donations and government

grants as a source of revenue in our finances, similar organizations operate solely on this form of income.

IS IT SUSTAINABLE?

STL YOUTH JOBSSimilar organization that helps at risk youth in the St.

Louis area find jobs.

WHY WE ARE BETTERWe target youth through high schools which

makes our services more accessible to students.

We are making an effort sustainable while SLYJ relies solely on donations and government grants.

WHO IS OUR COMPETITION?

IT IS TIME THAT WE STOP VIEWING OUR YOUTH AS A LIABILITY AND START EMPOWERING THEM TO BE AN ASSET

TO OUR COMMUNITY.

FINAL WORD