WORCESTER COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL COLLABORATES TO PUT 1,000 YOUTH IN JOBS FOR SUMMER OF 2009

WORCESTER COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL COLLABORATES TO PUT 1,000 YOUTH IN JOBS FOR SUMMER OF 2009

Worcester, MA - The Central Massachusetts Regional Employment Board (CMREB) has
has awarded the fiscal 2009 WIA Summer Youth Employment Services Federal Stimulus funding to the Worcester Community Action Council Inc. (WCAC) after a competitive grant process. Under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), WCAC will provide meaningful summer-employment opportunities for income-eligible youth ages 16-24. As lead agency, WCAC will recruit and place approximately 500 youth in jobs throughout three geographic locations: 300 in Worcester and surrounding 16 communities; 100 in Blackstone Valley; and 100 in South County.

"We are pleased to be partnering with Worcester Community Action Council to bring the opportunity for a valuable work experience to our region's youth this summer," said Jeff Turgeon, executive director of CMREB. "We are especially happy that we can extend youth employment programs throughout the region this year thanks to the federal stimulus money."

The WIA Summer Youth Employment Program starts on July 6, 2009 and concludes on August 21, 2009. The program will concurrently run with Commonwealth Corporation's funded program, YouthWorks, which is also administered by WCAC. The two 7-week jobs programs will place approximately 1,000 youth and young adults in jobs this summer.

"We are thrilled to have this opportunity to work with Worcester's surrounding communities along with the Center of Hope in Southbridge and Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation to reach eligible youth in the corridors," said Jill Dagilis, executive director of WCAC. "Through federal stimulus funds, WCAC will be able to place at least 500 youth with an emphasis on recruiting out-of-school and disconnected youth for meaningful employment. We thank local businesses for stepping up to 'pay it forward' to youth in their communities."

For more information on summer employment for youth and young adults please visit the WCAC website at www.wcac.net, or contact Nancy Jackson of WCAC at 508-754-1176 ext. 121 or njackson@wcac.net.
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The Worcester Community Action Council Inc. is the largest anti-poverty agency in Central Massachusetts and serves annually over 71,000 families and individuals. Its mission is "to stimulate change in the fundamental causes of poverty and to create and provide opportunities for economic self-sufficiency through services, partnership, and advocacy."

The Central Massachusetts Regional Employment Board (CMREB) is one of 16 Workforce Investment Boards throughout Massachusetts, charged with overseeing and implementing local workforce development initiatives. The CMREB serves Worcester and 37 surrounding communities in Central Massachusetts and oversees policy for three Workforce Central Career Centers within its region. The purpose of the CMREB is to develop a system that ensures individuals have the skills necessary to meet the demands of area employers.