Chelsea Youth Employment Initiative

Mission

An entire community comes together to provide their youth with summer jobs, enrichment and recreational activities, and alternatives and incentives to stay out of gangs and avoid violence.

Overview

During the summer of 2005, 270 youth were employed through this program which has served as a statewide model. Most youth were picked by lottery from among 800 who applied while some were selected on referral from the police, State Department of Social Services, schools and mental health agencies. Youth worked four hours/day at 52 worksites in business, community agencies, churches and city departments. Seventy of them worked as Park Rangers organizing activities for children and youth in the City’s parks. Each Friday the youth participated in enrichment workshops and recreational activities. A highlight of the program was the first Youth Summit, “You are the Change You Seek”: the Choice is Yours, which was attended by 350 youth, police officers, school personnel and elected officials.

Other Programs

The Summer Youth Employment Initiative led to two additional programs:

The After School Community Building/Tutoring Program takes up to 50 youth from the Summer program who are in particular need of help in school, provides them with an after-school job and weekly tutoring sessions. Chelsea High School teachers provide the tutoring assisted by Chelsea National Honor Society students.

Peer Leadership for a Gang-free, Violence-free School Year is newly funded this year. Six carefully selected peer leaders work with the police, school personnel and community leaders at implementing the recommendations made by youth at the summer Youth Summit.