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County to get stimulus funds for summer jobs

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Mike Sever
March 25, 2009

 

 

By Mike Sever

Record-Courier staff writer

There is federal stimulus money coming to fund summer jobs in Portage County.

Becky Porcase, manager of the Portage Workforce Connection in Ravenna, said Tuesday that $1.3 million is expected to come to the Geauga, Ashtabula Portage Partnership through the Workforce Investment Act Youth Summer Work Program. 

Portage County can expect to get at least a third of the money to assist youth ages 14 through 24 by funding summer employment opportunities and work experience of high quality. The usual age limit of 23 years old has been extended to 24, Porcase said.

The Portage Workforce Connection has scheduled orientations to enroll youth into the program.

Orientations have been scheduled for Thursday and Friday and April 9,10,16,17,23, and 24.

All orientations will be held at the Portage Workforce Connection, 1081 W. Main St. Ravenna.

Pre-registration is required to attend an orientation. Call 330 296-2841 to reserve space.

Youth must be at least 14 years of age at the time of the intake appointment. Youth under the age of 18 will be required to get a work permit.

The income guidelines are 100% of poverty.

Monthly gross income guidelines range from $902 a month to $2,460 a month, depending on household size.

This is the first time in several years there has been funding for summer youth employment, Porcase said.

The jobs will be contracted out through local agencies. Potential employers are being contacted about potential jobs now, she said.

“It’s a wide variety and we’re hoping to spread it out even farther,” Porcase said.

 

 




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 3 Total Comments
3.
    Posted by CommunityGuy March 26, 2009
I agree harvey10. These "earmarked dollars" need to go to the families without an income regardless of age. These dollars should not be going to young college graduates with no families to support.

It burns my ass to know that there are families without food, clothes, shoes, etc., but we can support a program for 14-24 year olds. Hey, if they are gonna' help support mom, dad, and the brothers and sisters, then so be it. I'm all for it, but I think that this money could be put to better use than what it is promoted for.

I also have serious reservations over who will dispurse and monitor these funds. I think were all aware of the last scandal involving free college money. If they were willing to give it to "special needs people" then why wouldn't these self-proclaimed big shots "pull a favor" for a friend, relative, mistress or someone else and try to do the same?

I hope it's monitored and audited, but I doubt that anyone has learned their lesson.

2.
    Posted by harvey10 March 25, 2009
What about the people over the age of 24. this is just a quick way to show a drop in unemployment with no long range impact. The economy is heading in the right direction? I'm not opposed to this program, there are just alot of people over the age of 24 who are out of work and have families, mortgages, etc.......

1.
    Posted by DoWhatsRight March 25, 2009
I wonder if Becky Porcase's children will get the jobs first like they got the money for their college education. The poor guy that is desperate to feed his family will just have to wait until all the Commissioners kids and their employee kids get their jobs first. Then if there is any left over maybe, just maybe, they will help the taxpayers of Portage County.

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