Summer Youth Employment Program
Youth spend their summer working hard throughout the Twin Cities seven county metro area. Whether they're working as a team to build a staircase at a local park or working by themselves to help a local organization catch up on data entry, our participants earn wages, develop pride in their abilities and gain transferable skills to take to future jobs. The community benefits, too. Residents see improvements in their parks and recreation areas, and businesses get to draw from a competent, experienced workforce of young people.
Work with Tree Trust this Summer!
Joining the Tree Trust Summer Youth Employment Program is a great way to earn money and gain work experience during the summer.
Job Facts:
- Work an average of 20 hours per week for nine weeks from mid-June to mid-August (dates are to be determined and will vary by county)
- Earn $7.25 per hours with an opportunity for a raise
- Learn skills that will make it easier to find your next job
- Have the opportunity to earn academic credit
- Work outside on a team to complete projects like staircases and retaining walls for parks and community spaces
- Limited indoor positions are available in Hennepin and Dakota counties
- Limited transportation may be provided. Be prepared to get to the work site on your own
- Job offers will be made in early June
- Job offers are made through a random lottery system - applying does not guarantee a position
To Qualify You Must:
- Be at least 14 years old and less than 22 years old on June 18, 2012
- Have low family income, special needs and/or other risk factors. See for more information.
- Live in Dakota, Washington or suburban Hennepin County (not Minneapolis).PLEASE NOTE: If you are a resident of Minneapolis, you must apply through the STEP UP program. If you are a resident of St. Paul you must apply through the St. Paul Youth Job Corps.
Applications:
- Will be available here starting Monday, March 5, 2012
- Or you can request one by calling 952-767-3880 or emailing felecias@treetrust.org
- Application deadline is Monday, April 9, 2012.
- Be sure to fill out the application completely. Applications missing information will be returned to the applicant.
Information for Parents and Teachers:
- Tree Trust has 35 years of experience training young people to be successful workers
- Youth are supervised by full-time Tree Trust staff who have received at least 80 hours of training
- Positions are filled using a random lottery system. Applicants will be notified of hiring decisions in June. Applying does not guarantee a position.
- Applications must be postmarked by April 9, 2012. Encourage applicants to apply early to allow time for resubmission if there is a question or missing information.
- Questions? Contact Felecia Schmidt, Program Coordinator at 952-767-3884 or felecias@treetrust.org
Are you a past participant?
Join us on Facebook to reconnect with other Tree Trust alumni.
Recent News & Stories
Last year's highlights:
- 483 youth worked more than 40,000 hours and earned more than $220,000
- 26 youth earned Certificates of Commendation signed by the Governor for outstanding leadership and achievement
- 96% who responded to youth surveys learned important job skills that will help in future jobs
- 95% who responded to youth surveys developed confidence in their abilities to complete a job
- 95% who responded to youth surveys felt that their work was important to the community
- 82% of parents who responded to the survey reported an improvement in their child's attitude toward employment
- 80% of parents who responded to the survey reported an improvement in their child's confidence
Check out our 2011 Summer Youth Employment Program report (PDF) for more program accomplishments.
"Having a job made me feel better about myself. I wanted to be productive and learn job skills."
-2011 Participant
"This program or job has taught me a lot about the working world, and budgeting and planning your money and day."-2011 Participant
"[My son] developed landscaping skills, learned how to lever a timber block, developed relationships with co-workers, increased his listening skills to directions, learned how to be a hard worker and how to budget money by himself."-2011 Parent of Participant
"I feel that working for Tree Trust has opened up a lot of doors for my daughter. She has learned a lot and experienced a lot through this program. I feel like this job has shown her a lot of what it takes to be successful in life."-2011 Parent of Participant
Program Partners
Tree Trust thanks our 2010 partners for supporting the Youth Conservation Corps.
American Cancer Society
Apple Valley Parks Department
ARC's Value Village - Richfield
Berkshire ResidenceCamp
CourageCamp Ihduhapi
Are you interested in becoming a project partner? Click here to request information about hosting a project site for our crews.
Tree Trust
2231 Edgewood Ave. S.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Phone: 952.767.3880
Fax: 952.767.3650
