For Immediate Release: 7/7/2010 7:59 am
Worcester, MA (July 7, 2010) - The City of Worcester, in partnership with several community-based organizations, the Worcester Community Action Council and Worcester Interfaith, unveiled the Park Stewards Summer Employment Program today at Elm Park.
The six-week program, which is modeled after "Around the Corner," a partnership that links neighborhood teens with neighborhood-based jobs, will employ 35 youth this summer.
"Youth employment and recreational opportunities fill a critically important need in our community," said City Manager Michael V. O'Brien. "They link our young people with organizations and agencies that provide valuable experiences and keep our youth engaged and safe during the summer months."
In light of dramatic reductions in State and Federal funding for summer youth programs, a team of community partners, inclusive of community-based organizations, the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC), Worcester Interfaith, the Pleasant Street Neighborhood Network Center, and the City, came together to initiate the "Park Stewards" Summer Employment Program, aimed at providing young people with job opportunities that specifically focus on beautifying and cleaning-up our neighborhoods and parks.
"Worcester Community Action Council is so pleased to be a partner in this expanded, park-centered component of summer youth employment. We know from program evaluations for past summer jobs programs that both employers and young employees benefit tremendously from these work experiences," said Jill Dagilis, Executive Director, Worcester Community Action Council. "These jobs are the foundation for a lifetime of workforce development for our youth and the community. The Park Stewards Program is terrific example of a strong community partnership. It's a win-win-for the youth, the neighborhoods, the participating community-based organizations, the parks and the city overall."
The Park Stewards Program will be geared for income-eligible youth between the ages of 16 and 21 and activities will range from trail clearing and renovation, trash pick-up, tree plantings, to graffiti removal and more. In collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Parks' Keep Worcester Clean initiative, youth will work in areas where the needs are greatest under the supervision of community-based organizations, as follows:
"In a tough economy, it has become increasingly clear that jobs for youth are a major issue and challenge, and that jobs that do not require transportation are even more necessary than ever," said Mary Keefe, Director of the Network Center on Pleasant Street and Co-chair of Worcester Interfaith.
