Youth Opportunities Unlimited

Youth Opportunities Unlimited was founded in December 1982 to provide Cleveland teens with their first paid summer job. While our organization has evolved and expanded, we are proud to continue providing summer jobs to thousands of youth. Here are some of the highlights! 3,189 - This summer, Y.O.U. provided 3,189 teens (ages 14-19) summer jobs. Almost 2,700 youth worked in the My Summer Jobs Program, made possible through funding by Cuyahoga County and the Cleveland Foundation, and almost 450 youth worked in the Mayor Frank G. Jackson Summer Youth Employment Program, made possible by the City of Cleveland and "Goldman Sachs Gives." 12,000 - This year, more than 12,000 teens applied for a summer job through the Y.O.U. online application process. $7.85 - Youth earned $7.85 per hour and worked up to 150 hours. Each youth opened their own savings account at Huntington Bank where they were able to cash their checks free of charge and learn basic financial literacy skills. $3.25 million - Through the Y.O.U. Summer Jobs Program $3.25 million was pumped back into the Cuyahoga County economy. 559 - Youth worked at 559 worksite locations ranging from community organizations, urban farms, churches, schools, cities, retail businesses, and health care facilities. In a number of cases, youth were offered permanent jobs because of their outstanding work performance, including teens at MetroHealth, Burger King, T.J. Maxx, and the Shaker Heights Public Library. Over 50% - For over 50% of these teens, this summer job represented their first job. "The program increases the ability of youth to compete in the current job market because it's really giving them a work history," emphasized Cuyahoga County Executive Fitzgerald at an August 2nd press conference, "this allows them to prove themselves." "She's a real gem!" Cashay Baker-Harrell was described by her supervisor, Driscilla Williams, as "a real gem. Y.O.U. placed Cashay at the United Way of Greater Cleveland to complete general office work as an intern this summer. Williams noted "you only have to explain things to Cashay once, but she asks questions if needed. She is quick and thorough with the tasks we assign." Not only is the United Way benefiting from Cashay's helping hand, but Cashay also learned many new skills including how to stay organized and work with many new people. Additionally, she explained that she's learned to "stay focused, be punctual, and pay attention to the details. Cashay hopes to put these skills to work as a doctor. She will attend Cleveland State University in the fall where she will study pre-medicine.