Canby Herald Online

Putting youth to work

The Workforce Investment Council of Clackamas County and local businesses team up to offer youth the chance to work and grow in a unique program

• By: Ray Hughey  
• Published: 4/13/2010 1:03:40 PM

Photo By: Ray HugheyOnna Kendig, a 19-year-old from Canby, has taken part in the WICCC program for parts of the last three years at the Kiwanis Thrift Store.

The Workforce Investment Council of Clackamas County is looking to recruit more Canby businesses to participate in its summer youth employment program.

About 25 Canby youths are among 85 youths taking part in a year-round support program and will be eligible to participate in the Summer Youth Academy program, said Kim Parker, WICCO executive director.

The involvement of more Canby businesses would make it easier for them to participate without the challenge of finding transportation to summer jobs out of the area, she said.

“Canby businesses Pioneer Pump and the Kiwanis Thrift Shop have been great partners over the years,” Parker said.

The year-round program provides mentoring and support for youths who face barriers or are struggling to get through high school, Parker said.

The Summer Youth Academy program is administered through the Clackamas Education Service District and county school districts.

The seven-week SYA program consists of a weeklong Boot Camp where they go over the nuts and bolts of getting ready to work and what employers looking for. This year’s boot camp is expected to start June 21 at a location to be determined.

The youths work the hours and jobs the employers needs. Their pay comes in a stipend through federal workforce investment act. And through an arrangement with Clackamas Community College, the youths can receive college credit for their work experience.

“We work with employer to measure their work readiness, how they have learned and grown about the work world in that time,” Parker said.

Onna Kendig, 19, of Canby, has taken part in the program off and on for three years. During that time, she has worked at the Kiwanis Thrift store doing “Whatever is asked of me.”

That includes helping organize clothing and merchandise and waiting on customers, she said.

Kendig is working on a GED through Clackamas Community College but has no idea yet what she wants to do in life, although she is interested in wildlife biology.

She plans to continue the youth employment program through the summer

“It helps me have more of a direction than if I was doing it all on my own,” she said. “It gives me a job, an opportunity to make money so I can be an adult and pay for rent, license and insurance.”

She recommends the program to other young people.

“I would tell them to sign up as soon as possible,” Kendig said. “It helps a lot, especially if they don’t rely on their parents and are on their own without parent’s finances.”

For more information about the program, call 503-594-3964.

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