County of Santa Clara Celebrates Accomplishments of Intern & Earn Summer Program
Hundreds of Youth Conclude Six-Week Internship
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF.—Acknowledging a major milestone for more than 390 youth in CalWORKs and the foster care program, the County of Santa Clara Intern & Earn Program hosted a celebration event to honor the successful completion of the program’s 6-week paid summer internships.
“Over the course of the summer, various county departments, local businesses and non-profit agencies have opened their doors to youth through the Intern & Earn Program,” said president Dave Cortese, County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. “We are working together to ensure the county’s most vulnerable youth have opportunities to gain valuable work experience and exposure to mentors that can offer insight into career choices and the educational standards that lead to long-term employment.”
Today’s celebration marks a day of inspiration and growth, as both interns and supervisors alike came together to celebrate the final day of summer internships. The Intern & Earn Program provided youth with opportunities to work for up 20 hours per week, earning $15.00 per hour. At the celebration, select interns and supervisors shared and illustrated their favorite experiences, lessons learned and memorable moments that have impacted them while participating in the first phase of the program.
“We look forward to continuing to serve the youth through the Santa Clara County Intern & Earn Program workshops,” said Denise Boland, Social Services Agency Employment & Benefit Services Director. “Participants will benefit from a year filled with career development workshops and employment events. They will be provided in a safe and interactive environment and will continue to be focused on their personal growth.”
The upcoming workshops are designed to address the needs of youth entering the workforce and provide exposure to basic life skills and educational opportunities. Workshop modules foster and complement the knowledge and experiences obtained through the initial 6-week internships. They include: career exploration and development, educational and aptitude assessment, workforce educational standards, vocational opportunities and requirements, social norms and expectations as they relate to employment, financial literacy and public service. Employment events will focus on emerging job opportunities at specialized youth job fairs and recruitments that lead directly to employment.
About the Intern & Earn Program
The Social Services Agency and its community partners are committed to combatting the effects of generational poverty through early engagement and continued employment support for youth in the community. Individuals interested in learning more about emerging youth employment opportunities are welcome to attend the CalWORKs Advisory meeting, hosted on the first Wednesday of each month at the CalWORKs Employment Services Orientation Room (1879 Senter Rd. San Jose, Ca 95112). Individuals interested in supporting the program, by hosting a motivational employment based workshop or serving as an Intern host, may contact the Employment Connection Center at 408-848-8788.
# # #
Media Contact: Laurel Anderson/Marina Hinestrosa, Office of Public Affairs, (408) 299-5119; Denise Boland, Social Services Agency, (408) 755-7735.
Posted: July 28, 2017
ABOUT THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA
The County of Santa Clara government serves a diverse, multi-cultural population of 1.9 million residents in Santa Clara County, the fifth largest county in California. With a $6.5 billion budget and more than 70 agencies/departments and more than 18,000 employees, the County of Santa Clara plans for the needs of a dynamic community, provides quality services, and promotes a healthy, safe and prosperous community for all. The County provides essential services including public health protection, environmental protection, medical services through Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC), child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and treatment, roads, park services, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and scores of other services, particularly for those members of our community in the greatest need.
Visit us at: http://www.sccgov.org
Follow us:
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/County.of.Santa.Clara/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sccgov