Youth Sports and Recreation Commission Launches Campaign to Support Youth Employment Program

The Youth Sports and Recreation Commission (Commission) is launching a campaign to raise $1,000,000 to support its 2004 Work Alternatives for Youth employment program in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, Michigan.

(PRWEB) April 11, 2004 --The Youth Sports and Recreation Commission (Commission) is launching a campaign to raise $1,000,000 to support its 2004 Work Alternatives for Youth employment program in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. The Champions for Youth Campaign is designed to generate financial support and create awareness of the need for summer youth employment.

In 1996, the Youth Sports and Recreation Commission created the Work Alternatives for Youth program to address the high unemployment rate for urban teenagers, and to engage teens in the constructive use of their leisure time. During its peak, the Work Alternatives for Youth program provided employment and training opportunities for more than 1,500 youth, ages 14-17, each summer. The program also:
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Provided creative, innovative programs that exposed teens to the world of work through work experience, job readiness and employability skills training, and leadership development.
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Involved teens in work and/or community service activities that developed positive work habits, work ethics and the skills needed to make a transition from subsidized to unsubsidized employment. Youth participants gained skills in problem solving, accountability and portfolio development.
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Engaged youth in a constructive use of their leisure time by providing quality learning opportunities.

Since its inception, more than 10,000 youth, ages 14-17, participated in the Work Alternatives for Youth program, and it grew into the largest, single summer youth employment program in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. However, funding for this years program has been slashed by nearly 90%, thus the Champions for Youth Campaign was created to draw attention and garner financial support.

The Champions for Youth Campaign is asking 50,000 citizens to donate a minimum of $20 per person to operate the 2004 program. The Youth Sports and Recreation Commission is also enlisting support from the corporate, political and faith based community, with an ultimate goal to raise $1,000,000 by May 31, 2004.

Contributions to the Champions for Youth Campaign are tax deductible and can be made to:    
Youth Sports and Recreation Commission
1274 Library Street, Suite 201
Detroit, MI 48226