Summer J.A.M. 2020 set to begin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 19, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT:
Melissa J. Dixon
mdixon@eriecountypa.gov
814-812-0089
Erie, PA – Erie County launches its seventh year of the Summer Jobs and More program on Monday, June 22. Twenty-eight employers will participate, offering positions in maintenance, custodial, landscaping and more to approximately 50 youth in Erie County.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program will be broken into two phases this year to allow for proper precautions to be taken. Phase two will begin Monday, July 6.
Youth are matched with employers based on the employer specifications, geographic proximity and availability of reliable transportation for youth. Selected youth will work 180 total hours and receive $8.25 per hour.
Young people who attended an orientation session and applied were interviewed for acceptance into the program. The six-hour orientations were offered three times via Zoom and included staff introductions, an outline of expectations, keynote speakers, live presentations, soft skills activities, breakout sessions and a homework assignment.
The Summer J.A.M. program, a collaborative effort of Erie County, GECAC, the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority and the Erie Community Foundation, is open to Erie County residents aged 16 to 21 who meet the program’s household income guidelines. The collaboration has invested nearly $2 million since the program’s inception in 2014.
“With a 92% completion rate, more than 915 young people have completed the Summer J.A.M. program in the past six years, and we look forward to its continued growth and impact,” said Gary N. Lee, director of administration for Erie County.
Interested youth have until July 2 to apply for phase two at https://www.gecac.org/work/employment-and-income/summer-jam.
For more information, contact GECAC at summerjam@gecac.org or 814-897-6571.
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