TeenWorks Working For Indy Teens

INDIANAPOLIS -- A local nonprofit organization that works to set teens up with summer jobs that make an impact is kicked off its 34th annual program Tuesday morning.  

This summer TeenWorks has placed about 280 teens in jobs aimed at teaching them work skills, preparing for college and giving back to the community.  The kids will be working with community partner businesses like IU Health, Indy Urban Acres and the Cultural Trail. 

TeenWorks Executive Director Mary Boyer says a new effort this year, modeled after other successful programs, teams kids with neighborhood revitalization projects.

"What they found is it reduces litter by up to 35 percent and crime goes down by about 20 percent in those neighborhoods that have that transformation effect," Boyer said.

The six week program earns the kids about $1,100 as well as preparing them with workplace readiness skills like writing resumes, mock interviews, financial and computer literacy and etiquette. 

The students will also take one day off for volunteer work and tour a local university. Boyer says the college visits can really make a difference.

"We get them in a place where they can experience a classroom and know that it's not as scary as they thought at first," Boyer said. "I can tell you that we've had many student who report back that they really never thought of themselves that way and once they got on campus they realized 'Hey I can do this.'" 

More than 500 kids applied for the jobs this year.