The city of East Lansing was chosen as one of the municipalities to receive youths from the work force. Jobs included improving public parks, painting downtown and assisting in landscaping. The city was granted 12 workers that scheduled to work 20 hours a week from mid-June to Aug. 14.

“With everything being stretched these days as far as budgets and resources, we had a lot of work opportunities and areas that we could use these young people,” East Lansing Public Works Administrator Angela Mabin said. “It’s worked out well for us.”

Workers are paid minimum wage through Michigan Works! and Gateway Community Services. To qualify to be a part of the program, youth workers had to participate in a week training exercise and come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

CEO of Capitol Area Michigan Works! Douglas Stites said work experience is an important part of the youth experience and with the way the economy is, it’s challenging to find that experience.

“That’s part of life,” Stites said. “It’s not a good thing to be raising a whole generation who have never worked.”

Students involved in the program said the program offers much more than work experience.

East Lansing resident Raphael Downes works as a supervisor in the program. When he applied a year ago, Downes was down on his luck. Since participating in the program Downes said he has gained the basic techniques of good work ethic and the skills needed to supervise and mentor younger people.

“It has given me security that I have people pulling for me and backing me up,” he said.

Downes said staff has been really supportive both in and outside of work. Looking toward the future, Downes said he knows the skills he has learned from the program will help him in the future.

“I aspire to be a youth pastor,” he said. “I’m sure that I’ll use this experience from this program later down the road when I’m ready to be a pastor.”