Lynn launches summer jobs incentive plan

By David Liscio -The Daily Item
Wednesday, May 4, 2005

LYNN - The unemployment rate among teenagers is higher today than at any time since World War II, says Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kevin Donahue, who hopes local businesses will step forward by participating in a youth workforce development initiative.

Mary Sarris, executive director of the North Shore Workforce Investment Board, said plans call for placing 300-400 Lynn-area youth in summer jobs.

"More and more people are taking low-paying jobs, and that means less jobs available for teens," said Sarris, noting that the investment board recently launched its FirstJobs program to encourage the hiring of North Shore youths during summer.

According to Sarris, employing a teenager isn't the financial drain it might seem. After all, eight weeks pay at minimum wage for a 20-hour workweek amounts to barely $1,000, and in some cases, the city will partially reimburse the employer.

Mayor Edward Clancy Jr. said the city's Community Development Department will reimburse participating businesses for up to half their expenses related to paying summer teenage help.

Donahue said the chamber of commerce, Eastern Bank, the North Shore Spirit baseball team, and the Solimine Funeral Home are participating in the effort to put Lynn teenagers to work for the summer.

Many of those teenagers would be trained by the North Shore Career Center, he said.

"There's nothing worse that a teen who is not busy in summer," said Sarris.

The workforce investment board headed by Sarris is sponsored by the mayors of Salem, Lynn, Peabody, Beverly and Gloucester, and is administered by the Essex County Community Foundation.

To sponsor a teenager as a FirstJobs summer employee for eight weeks, contact Sarris or co-facilitator Jane Hunt at the North Shore Workforce Investment Board in Salem, (978) 741-3805.

FirstJobs was formerly known as the Lynn Area Youth Summer Fund.