Federal grant to benefit local disadvantaged youths

Thursday, April 25, 1996

$625 million in aid will create summer job opportunitiesBy Lia
Ramsey

Daily Bruin Contributor

Some youths might not have to mow lawns or wash cars to make
money this summer, due to a delayed $625 million grant from the
federal government.

The grant, which gives money to summer job programs for
underprivileged youths, will be released immediately to allow state
agencies to recruit applicants, announced Labor Secretary Robert
Reich earlier this month.

California received the largest allocation ­ $111 million
­ which will create more than 96,000 jobs for underprivileged
kids between the ages of 14 and 21 in the state.

Each year, the federal government allocates a portion of its
budget for the summer employment programs. While the funds are a
boon for youth across the country, some officials pointed out that
the money almost did not arrive at all.

Because of the budget debate in the Senate and House of
Representatives, the grant was nearly withheld. Finally, only a
scaled-back version was approved.

"It’s sad because a lot of kids who apply won’t be able to get a
job," said Blanca Fraustl, a service agent for the Los Angeles City
Training and Job Department, about the Los Angeles division of the
summer jobs program.

The program helps fund part-time summer jobs in local government
agencies for underprivileged youth. They work anywhere from four to
six weeks over the summer, generally making minimum wage.

"It’s a very good program and it’s been around a long time,"
said Saralee Todd, a public affairs agent for Employment Training
and Administration in the U.S. Department of Labor. "The federal
money should have been out months ago the Congress held things up
… now it’s flowing through the system."

Some saw the program as an opportunity for youths to connect
real-world experience with school.

"The summer jobs program provides work experience and many
programs involve education components. Kids learn about the link
between education and work," Todd said.

Todd also said the federal money would be put to good use, and
would allow agencies to help poor youths.

"The program provides a lot of public service," she said. "Many
jobs are in health care, child care, at recreational areas, parks
… It’s a broad brush. It could be different in different
communities."

In Los Angeles, jobs available to youths mostly involve office
work. Yet the local Service Delivery Agency can help kids find work
in other environments that interest them, Fraustl said.

"We help the youths find the jobs," Fraustl said. It depends on
what the youth is interested in … Work is mostly clerical here in
Los Angeles ­ the youths prefer clerical and most agencies are
clerical."

Local summer jobs agencies are getting ready for this year’s
program. Applications and guidelines are expected to come from the
federal government by early May.

"Everything is coming in so late ­ we’re trying to get
everything together as soon as possible. Agencies are requesting
slots for youths," Fraustl said.

However funds are always better late than never, and some
students said the money does provide a enriching experience for
youths.

"I think it’s a good program because it provides an opportunity
for underprivileged youths which not only will give them valuable
work experience but will also provide them with self-confidence
when they go out into the working world," said Brian Pearce, a
third-year business-economics student at UCLA.