LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Each summer, the City of Little Rock sponsors a youth employment program to help hundreds of teens get work experience, gain new skills, and learn what it takes to thrive in the real world.
This year, the deadline for teens looking to make some summer cash is fast approaching. Here's what families need to know before the application closes.
The Summer Youth Employment application is open until April 14, and all applicants must be at least 16 years old and no older than 21 by June 3, 2024, to apply. You must also be official residents of Little Rock.
Youth selected for the program will work 32 hours a week for around 6 weeks to earn up to $2,800. Each year, the program's cap is 700 kids.
Assistant Director of Community Programs Michael Sanders said that the program aims to develop the next generation's workforce by teaming them up with businesses and programs throughout the city while also growing their interpersonal skills.
"Young people come in raw and not a lot of skills, but then go on to be great. One prime example, we had a young man that came in shy, [and] ended up getting a number of scholarships. Now he just finished his doctorate in physics. So you know, we have a high quality of students who just need that extra guidance, that extra push, that extra support to lead them to a path of success," described Sanders.
Sanders himself completed the Summer Youth Employment when he was younger.
As a program that's been around for decades, many can attest that it's served as a great start for many teens and has been beneficial for thousands.