COUNTYWIDE : Jobs Plus Helps Out Low-Income Youths

About 300 students from 10 North County cities are working for government and nonprofit agencies as part of the Summer Youth Employment Program operated here by Jobs Plus.

The $600,000 program offers jobs to youths ages 14 to 21 who meet the federal government’s low-income requirements.

Jobs Plus director Linda Daughters said most of the workers receive minimum wage.

Jobs Plus can also make job referrals for youths who do not come from low-income families, said Vicky Casillas, a program coordinator.

“If they’re 17 or 18 years old and have good transferable skills, we try to place them in the private sector, whether they are eligible for the program or not,” Casillas said.

In addition to La Habra, the summer employment program serves Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, La Palma, Placentia, Rossmoor, Los Alamitos, Stanton, Yorba Linda and part of La Mirada. Daughters said summer school students are not only eligible but are paid for attending classes in many cases.

Recruitment for the program began in the spring, when counselors visited schools, held career days and posted flyers in libraries and other public places.

The application process requires prospective workers to make two trips to the Jobs Plus office in the basement of La Habra City Hall. Then they must go for at least one job interview. A final visit to the office to pick up paper work is required before reporting to work.

“It shows us if the kid will be responsible,” Casillas said. “If a youngster is willing to make three or four trips to City Hall before starting work, he or she is likely to be a reliable employee.”

Casillas said one of the objectives of the program is to show participants “the importance of how education and work experience go hand in hand.”

Youngsters interested in competing for one of about 20 remaining openings may contact the Jobs Plus office at (213) 905-9744.