Program connects young workers to opportunity

PORT CLINTON — Jessica Hofacker of Port Clinton is the first of about two dozen youth in Ottawa County to complete her summer job which she obtained through the TANF Summer Youth Employment Program. She was placed at the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau working as a customer service associate where she greeted customers, answered phones, and assisted with mailings and other office work at the area’s busy welcome center on Ohio 53 in Port Clinton.

TSYEP will continue through the end of October. EHOVE Career Center operates the program, funded through the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services’ TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) program, in Erie, Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca counties. The program puts eligible youth ages 14 through 24 to work at area businesses. The businesses are reimbursed for the wages they pay to the participants, up to $10/hour for up to 40 hours per week. In addition, businesses are reimbursed for any direct supervision or training they provide to the youth.

Youth in Erie, Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca Counties have been matched with manufacturers, restaurants, recreation facilities, summer camps, hotels, farms, cleaning services, animal shelters, retail, construction and several other trades. Some youth who successfully complete the program are hired directly by the sponsoring employer.

“EHOVE has partnered with the Departments of Job and Family Services in Erie, Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca Counties for nearly 10 years to provide workforce development services to youth with barriers to training and employment,” said EHOVE Grants Manager Phil Johnson. “Our goal as an educational institution and workforce partner is to connect youth to employers for their mutual benefit . . . to help youth become successful employees and to help employers find these successful employees.”

In additional to the TSYEP, funds are available to place youth at work sites after October, through a separate year-round program funded through the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act. Youth ages 14 up through 24 looking for work and employers seeking to participate in either of our workforce development programs may contact EHOVE Success for Youth staff for more information.