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As part of the Mount Vernon-based Guidance Center of Westchester’s Summer Youth Employment program, 31 New Rochelle students, ranging between 14 and 20-years-old have been pounding the pavement, gaining valuable employment opportunities.
Since schools let out in June, the students have been working five hours per day, four days each week at one of nine businesses or non-profit organization that employed them this summer. In total, more than 60 interviews for the program were conducted, but there were only 31 positions to fill.
According to Jean Maisano, public relations director at The Guidance Center of Westchester, the young employees and the places that employed them this summer will be celebrated on Tuesday afternoon at a ceremony in Mount Vernon.
“The Guidance Center of Westchester will recognize the students for their accomplishments and congratulate the employers for giving these students the opportunity to gain experience and enhance their skill,” she noted.
Each of the students comes from economically challenged families, with their wages being paid for through a grant from the Westchester/Putnam Local Workforce Investment Board. Local counselors even offered job coaching and advice for participants.
“This is really a win-win for local businesses,” Laura Achkar, director of the Center for College & Careers said in a statement announcing the program. “Not only does The Guidance Center of Westchester staff interview and screen the applicants but also, thanks to a grant from the Westchester/Putnam Local Workforce Investment Board, the salary for the student employees is covered.”
The recognition ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Mount Vernon headquarters of The Guidance Center, 256 Washington St.
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