SCC
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. –Investing in the Silicon Valley’s next generation, the County of Santa Clara’s Intern & Earn Program is inspiring the County’s most vulnerable youth to start planning for a successful future. The program offers youth in the CalWORKs, Foster Care and CalFresh programs an invaluable opportunity to garner life skills, find mentorship and get hands-on career experience. Intern & Earn is kicking off this year’s program by opening up the enrollment period for paid summer internships and all eligible youth interested in working this summer can sign-up for a summer job!
“We can change the odds of success for our foster youth in Santa Clara County through the Intern & Earn program. It helps put them at the front of the line for job opportunities by giving them real time, on the job experience,” said County of Santa Clara Supervisor Cindy Chavez, Chair of the Board’s Children, Seniors and Families Committee. “They need this, they want to improve their lives and we can give them a leg up with this program.”
Applicants are invited to a special sign-up event over Winter Break, February 19-22. The Intern & Earn program staff will be available to provide general internship information and assistance with job applications at multiple sites throughout the county. Youth in the CalFresh program, ages 16-24, and youth in the CalWORKs program, ages 15-17, can call (408) 758-3797 for session times and locations in North, South and Central county areas. Foster Youth, ages 16-24 can contact the Hub at (408) 792-1750, for special session information.
“It’s never too early to think about employment and gaining valuable work experience, which are the keys to a successful future for our low-income students,” said Robert Menicocci, Director of the Social Services Agency (SSA). “The Social Services Agency is committed to providing youth with access to the services and opportunities they’ll need to support personal growth and professional development.”
For 2019, the Intern & Earn summer internship program has been extended beyond its traditional six-week period, giving interns an opportunity to work up to eight weeks, between June 10 and August 2. This two-week extension over past years will allow youth to capitalize on their summer months by increasing their earning potential. In addition, intern salaries have been increased to $16 per hour, allowing Intern & Earn to stay competitive with other youth employment options. Interns can earn a potential $3,840 this summer, working up to 30 hours per week at county worksites, community-based organizations and with private employers.
Besides the earnings-based enhancements, the program is creating opportunities for youth that want to work and enroll in college summer courses. Modeled after the Foster Care Summer Bridge program, Intern & Earn will be offering a work-school option that allows students to earn a paycheck by completing up to 30-hours per week through a combination of course hours and a paid internship position.
Applicants not able to make it to the winter break sessions still have the opportunity to apply as the program will be actively recruiting until positions are filled. Applications are available online at sccgov.org/internandearn or youth can call (408) 758-3737 for drop-in information.
Community Based Organizations that want to learn more about the Intern & Earn program can attend the CalWORKs Advisory meeting, hosted on the first Wednesday of each month at the CalWORKs Employment Services Orientation Room (1879 Senter Rd., San Jose, CA 95112). If you’re interested in participating in the program as an intern or an intern Worksite Supervisor, please contact the Employment Connection Center at (408) 758-3737.
