Summer Youth Employment

Real work experience, real job skills, and real paychecks for Kenosha teens.

The Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha’s Youth Employment Program is a job training program designed to support youth in career exploration, skill development, and real-world work experiences. Participants have opportunities to work with local businesses and/or technical schools to build practical job skills that prepare them for future success. Through workshops and hands-on experiences, youth develop essential employment and life skills. In addition, members receive supportive services such as mentoring, counseling, tutoring, and more to help them succeed both in and out of the workplace.

Referral Program

Summer Program Enhanced with Kenosha County and Community Action funding:

The Youth Employment Program employs and works with over 250 in-school and out-of-school youth between the ages of 14 and 24 each year. The participating youth are economically or otherwise disadvantaged.

While working through the Youth Employment program, in-school youth also take part in educational sessions through a partnership with the Kenosha Unified School District where they gain ½ credit towards their high school graduation.

Paid Employment

Seasonal

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides eligible teens with paid summer employment opportunities at the Boys & Girls Club and with community partner organizations. Participants earn a real paycheck while gaining hands-on work experience in fields like youth development, food service, facilities management, office administration, and community service.

SYEP begins with in-depth career workshops that focus on life skills, career goal setting, job-specific skills, and workplace expectations and responsibilities. The goal of the program is to have each participant obtain unsubsidized employment during or upon completion of the program. Participants also receive additional support services, including tutoring, mentoring, dropout prevention, and stay-in-school activities. Each participant is paired with a supervisor who provides mentoring and regular performance feedback throughout their work experience.

How to Qualify

Participation is by referral only; youth must be identified as “opportunity youth,” actively working with a case manager, and referred through schools, counselors, or community partners (no open application process)
Must complete the application and interview process as coordinated through case managers
Positions are limited and reviewed on a rolling basis based on referral eligibility and program capacity
Youth complete an assessment phase (academic, financial, and social needs) and participate in job readiness training, work experience, and career exploration, to obtain unsubsidized employment and receive follow-up support after placement

In-school youth also participate in educational sessions through Kenosha Unified School District and may earn ½ credit toward high school graduation; contact Teen Center staff at (262) 654-6200 for general program information