The Denver Office of Economic Development has awarded contracts to three community-based organizations to administer the summer Youth Employment Program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Denver Housing Authority, Goodwill Industries of Denver and Servicios de La Raza will administer the placement of approximately 600 at-risk youth with jobs this summer.
“These contracts represent the first federal stimulus dollars flowing through the Denver Office of Economic Development that benefit local businesses and our community,” said André Pettigrew, executive director of the Denver Office of Economic Development. “The program provides an important resource for businesses to fill jobs while helping youth gain workforce knowledge, skills and abilities that will lead to rewarding, successful and sustainable employment.”
The City and County of Denver has received a $4.7 million ARRA allocation for workforce development activities. Of this amount, $1.9 million is targeted to youth employment and training. The three contracts total $753,070.
The Youth Employment Program is connecting youth age 14 to 24 with up to 160 hours of employment with businesses, nonprofits and government organizations. Youth will work within a variety of job types among high-growth industries targeted by the Denver Office of Economic Development that include health care, construction/skilled trades and energy. Other placements include working with entrepreneurial groups, clerical/office work, food service, landscaping, maintenance, janitorial and recreational positions. Additionally, some youth will be placed with “green collar” jobs performing residential energy audits and weatherization.
The program is not accepting any additional youth applicants, as all of the positions have been filled. The contractors are maintaining waitlists of additional interested youth. For more information contact Denver Housing Authority, 303-607-9216; Goodwill Industries of Denver, 303-430-5319; or Servicios de La Raza, 303-953-5950.
To date the City has received approximately $52 million in ARRA funds. For more information on the ARRA projects and programs, go to www.denvergov.org/stimulus.
The Denver Office of Economic Development is dedicated to advancing economic prosperity for the City of Denver, its businesses, neighborhoods and residents. Working with a wide variety of community partners, OED operates to create a local environment that stimulates balanced growth through job creation, business assistance, housing options, neighborhood redevelopment and the development of a skilled workforce.