CLEVELAND — The global pandemic has not only affected the way students learn, but also how they find summer work. A local organization that pairs teens and young adults with summer jobs has noticed a number of challenges.
“We were on track to serve 2500 teens this summer,” said Missy Toms,vice president of development & communications with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) in Cleveland . “When COVID-19 hit, we went down to about 1000 this summer.”
Toms said the gradual reopening phase in the state, paired with social distancing and safety requirements, has led to limited opportunities available for students. She said some businesses have been unable to hire additional employees and others are not sure when they will be able to open their doors.
Health and safety concerns for teenagers has also been at the forefront of discussions when working to pair students with local jobs. Y.O.U has created guidelines for employers they team up with to help keep kids safe.
“Our participants have to wear a mask at all times,” said Toms. “There can’t be more than ten people in the same area.”
Toms said some non-profits with the program are now offering paid online learning experiences as an alternative.
Click here to learn more about Youth Opportunities Unlimited.