$30,000 grant awarded for Summer Youth Initiative
$30,000 grant awarded for Summer Youth Initiative The Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF) has awarded the Genesee Chamber Foundation a $30,000 grant for the 2010 Summer Youth Initiative (SYI) program. The SYI program is managed by the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. Rhetta Hunyady, Regional Chamber Group Vice President, Operations and Employer Education & Training Connection noted that the SYI not only helps teens secure employment, but allows them to explore various career avenues and enhance the skills they need to grow into good employees and society leaders. This is the 15th year for the SYI program and Hunyady said that participation continues to grow annually. “SYI is a great program that thrives because of the support of our many funders,” said Hunyady. “Their generous grants and participation play a key role in providing opportunities for teens to gain a variety of work experience, and emphasizes to teens the significant role they personally play in the community.” Grant dollars were awarded from the following funds: Danny R. Gaydou Fund for Youth Helen Philpott Fund for Children Joseph T. Ryder Endowment Fund Sidney and Margaret Steward Endowment Fund The SYI program supports CFGF’s strategic intent by supporting opportunities for area youth to develop as contributing citizens, as well as addressing the systemic issue of unemployment. The Community Foundation has supported the Summer Youth Initiative since 1996. Funding from CFGF will directly support salaries for teen workers. Nearly 500 Genesee County teens, 14-18 years old, will learn job and leadership skills, find employment, and participate in community service opportunities, thanks to local foundation support for the 2010 SYI program. At this time 20 nonprofit and for profit organizations in Genesee County will employ SYI students for 8-10 weeks this summer. Minimum wage salaries for students employed at nonprofit organizations are supported at 100 percent by the program. Students working at for profit businesses receive 50 percent of their salary for the first 90 days of employment from the program.
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