Michigan Works is teaming up with the city of Benton Harbor for the city’s summer youth employment program. Program coordinator Corey Sterling tells WSJM News the city is looking to hire around 150 youths between 14 and 19 for the summer to do landscaping work.
“They did it last year,” Sterling said. “It was very successful last year so they were able to grow the program and just give the kids something to do, to put some money in their family pocket and help out as much as possible, just giving the kids something positive to do.”
Last year’s program hired around 65 young people, and now that the city’s teamed up with Michigan Works, it’s more than doubling. Sterling says young people can apply all this week.
“We’ll be at Benton Harbor High School, back cafeteria, signing up kids. Right now, we’ve got roughly 70 kids signed up so far. I would think another 70 kids next week and we’ll reach our goal.”
Sterling says the pay varies depending on the young person’s age. The jobs will pay $10 an hour for those 14 and 15, and $15 an hour for those over 15. To apply, participants should bring a photo identification, social security card, birth certificate, and a parent or guardian. Parents are required to provide income verification with a tax form or two paycheck stubs.
