Youth Services

From summer jobs to training for a professional career, several programs and opportunities exist for Oakland youth.  Youth should be between the ages of 14-21.  Services available at the Career Center for youth include:

• Job Coaching
• Job Placement assistance (during the fall and winter months)
• Referral to Our Youth Service Programs and Sub-Contractors
• Summer Job Placements - Mayor's Summer Jobs Program (MSJP)

The Mayor's Summer Jobs Program has been operating for forty years.  In late April 2007, Mayor Ron Dellums hosted a gathering of fifty-five business leaders to launch this year's program.  In his appeal, the Mayor streesed that it is good economics to develop our future workforce.  "Providing jobs for youth offers valuable work and life skills training that will carry over into their school performance and beyond" he said.

The intent of MSJP is to provide Oakland youth obtain summer jobs and internships.  Every youth who enters the program participates in a rigorous intake process.  Staff from partnering agencies teaches pre-employment workshops in resume writing, interview preparation, etiquette, dressing for success, and job retention.  In order to recommend participants to hiring companies, we assess each youth's verbal skills, maturity, appearance, and attitude.  The lead agency in the MSJP effort this year is the Youth Employment Partnership, Inc.

To find out more about the Mayor's Summer Jobs Program please contact Dynell Garron at (510) 768-4405. 

Year-round Youth Programs

The Oakland PIC contracts with five local nonprofit organizations to carry out youth activities year-round.  These agencies provide low-income youth with opportunities for employment and educational attainment.  Workshops on resume writing, interview preparation, etiquette, money management, basic skills, and many more are offered during the day or after classes.  The agencies providing those services this year are:

• Alameda County Healthcare Foundation Model Neighborhood Program
• Lao Family Community Development, Inc.
• Pivotal Point Youth Services, Inc.
• Scotlan Youth and Family Center
• The Youth Employment Partnership, Inc.