|
Youth Employment Service |
Bobbi Feinson, a Youth Commission Chairman, was in New Jersey visiting her mother, who had hurt her leg. There was a young girl there from the the Youth Employment Service helping with meals and other jobs that the mother couldn't do. Bobbi brought the idea of young people working for the community back to the Youth Commission and Danbury's Y.E.S. was born. That was 10 years ago.
Since then 2000 students from all the schools in Danbury have joined YES. Almost 4.000 requests for workers have been filled for the elderly, new parents, homeowners and businesses. Many students are working for these employers on a regular basis. |
 |
|
For the most part, residents hire teens for yardwork and babysitting. This kind of odd job work fits in, with schoolwork and sports commitments. Some of the more unusual jobs have been modeling for an illustrator of a teen book, helping a handicapped gentleman, being duck boys for Golden Retriever Meets, working in a center for the elderly, doing office work for City Hall and for local doctors and dog, cat and bird sitting.
Some YES members, now in college, still cal1 for jobs during vacation. We're used as a reference when teens go into the regular job market; many times that job being obtained through the YES Program. We also help with first time resumes, giving advice on iob interviews, etc. |
|
Work ethic is a main focus of the program. I check references of the people who want to hire teens and follow up to be sure the job was done right. YES teens know that I do this and try to do their best work, in order to be referred by me again.
Close relationships have developed between the young and the elderly through YES. I get letters from many saying that they had lost contact with youngsters for so long and now look forward to seeing these students, not only for their help, but for their lively company.
This is such a great program to run, since the adults are so pleased to have found a source of reasonable help, and the students are happy to make money and to feel useful, especially a few weeks into summer vacation when leisure turns into boredom. Everyone benefits from the Youth Employment Service Program. YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE 54 Main Street Danbury, Ct. 06810 Program Director, (203)797-0741 Ginny Concarella |
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW
WHAT IS Y.E.S.?
It iS a non-profit organization of the City of Danbury. This program is operated under the direction of the Personnel Dept.
WHAT DOES Y.E.S. DO?
It provIdes a link between people in our community who need help wlth odd jobs and studentss who want to earn money in their spare time. No fee is charged for this service.
WHO MAY USE THE SERVICES OF Y.E.S.?
As employers-homeowners, elderly or any responsible adults who need yard work, house work, clean-up, baby sitting, light office work or other odd job work done and are willing to pay a reasonable price to the student. |
 |
