Youth Venture

Job-Link is essentially a job "clearinghouse" to connect homeless teenagers in high school with job opportunities from area employers.

BACKGROUND
Because of the crisis state of our economy, many families are barely making ends meet. According to local statistics, over three hundred new families have become homeless in 2008 as the rise in property foreclosures and unemployment is taking its toll. Unemployment rates in our hometown of Racine are the highest in the state of Wisconsin and the number of homeless students on record in the community is around 1,000.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this program is to provide homeless teenagers with the opportunity to build self-esteem and pride, learn new skills, and help their families become self-sufficient in the long run. Often these students lack the confidence and the means to connect with local employers.
HOW
To be eligible for Job-Link Racine, participants must be in high school, carry a minimum of "C" grade average, and meet the federal criteria of being "homeless". (Their families would not own or rent a property.) The maximum hours that students can work is up to 20 hours per week. Job experience is not a prerequisite, but students will be required to develop a Personal Resume to submit at the time of a job interview. Job-Link will conduct initial applicant screenings, provide basic job interviewing and resume development training, cover the cost of obtaining a work permit, provide bus tokens where appropriate, and interview clothing or work clothing as necessary.
WHY WE’RE DIFFERENT
What makes Job-Link Racine unique is that it is the only program that deals with homeless teenagers most of whom do not participate in any structured after school activities. As a result, they are at risk of dropping out of school and are more likely to be exposed to criminal activities like drugs, gangs, and truancy. By having area employers post available part-time jobs with Job-Link Racine, we can connect participants with job opportunities where they can grow personally and excel to the benefit of the community at large. Additionally, Job-Link Racine can be replicated and so while it may have begun in Racine, WI, it has the structure and potential to expand nationwide.