Summer Youth Employment Program in Utica
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: August 7, 2012
About 225 young people here at home are participating in the Summer Youth Employment Program. Income- eligible teens work are working with area employers, including health care and not-for-profit employers. And for many young people, this is their first work experience. Eyewitness News reporter Rachel Polansky visited one of the programs and gives us as closer look.
"They're not only residents to me, they're like my friends, my family. If you just connect with them, they'll be your friends also, they'll be your friends back, no matter how young or old you are," says Rutha Kyi, participant.
16-year-old Rutha Kyi joined the Summer Youth Employment Program helping senior citizens at Focus Rehabilition Center. She says after working at Focus, she would like to work in the health care field.
"If I go into this job, I really want to get to know more of the people. I also want my surroundings, my environment, my friends, my family to know how much I enjoy my job," says Kyi.
"I think it gave them a great opportunity to learn what it's like to work in the health care field and work with people and provide direct care to them," says Christina Bravo, Coordinator Focus Rehabilitation Center.
Kyi enjoyed her first job experience, and focus residents say they enjoyed the young company.
"So well behaved and so nice to everybody. They made you feel like one of them almost and that's an awfully good feeling at my age (laughs) At 90!" says Marion Weiner, Focus resident.
Weiner was surprised that many of the young people enjoyed their time with their elders.
"And they said they liked helping here, they actually liked it. And some of them said when they get older they would like a job here," says Weiner.
And as you can see behind me, residents say one of their favorite activites is playing wii bowling with the summer youth.
"The kids helped out with the WII bowling, residents like that. They did cooking groups, they helped with happy hour, they did 1-on-1 visits."
8 teenagers participated in the Focus Summer Program ranging from 14 to 18 years old. They say it was a great experience they won't forget and focus residents agree.
"They wanted to be around us older people. I find that amazing and I love them," says Weiner.
"Bravo says she hopes this will be the first on many summers working with the Summer Youth Employment Program.
"They're not only residents to me, they're like my friends, my family. If you just connect with them, they'll be your friends also, they'll be your friends back, no matter how young or old you are," says Rutha Kyi, participant.
16-year-old Rutha Kyi joined the Summer Youth Employment Program helping senior citizens at Focus Rehabilition Center. She says after working at Focus, she would like to work in the health care field.
"If I go into this job, I really want to get to know more of the people. I also want my surroundings, my environment, my friends, my family to know how much I enjoy my job," says Kyi.
"I think it gave them a great opportunity to learn what it's like to work in the health care field and work with people and provide direct care to them," says Christina Bravo, Coordinator Focus Rehabilitation Center.
Kyi enjoyed her first job experience, and focus residents say they enjoyed the young company.
"So well behaved and so nice to everybody. They made you feel like one of them almost and that's an awfully good feeling at my age (laughs) At 90!" says Marion Weiner, Focus resident.
Weiner was surprised that many of the young people enjoyed their time with their elders.
"And they said they liked helping here, they actually liked it. And some of them said when they get older they would like a job here," says Weiner.
And as you can see behind me, residents say one of their favorite activites is playing wii bowling with the summer youth.
"The kids helped out with the WII bowling, residents like that. They did cooking groups, they helped with happy hour, they did 1-on-1 visits."
8 teenagers participated in the Focus Summer Program ranging from 14 to 18 years old. They say it was a great experience they won't forget and focus residents agree.
"They wanted to be around us older people. I find that amazing and I love them," says Weiner.
"Bravo says she hopes this will be the first on many summers working with the Summer Youth Employment Program.
