Of all the things to love about summer, what ranks high among teenagers is a paying summer job.
This summer eight area teens are getting paid work-based learning experiences through a venerable partnership between Michigan Rehabilitative Services and our West Shore ESD.
Earning paychecks at Ludington State Park performing beautification projects are five students from MCC, one from LHS, and one from Gateway 2 Success Academy.
Two students from LHS are working at the Goodwill store in Ludington and a student from Hart High School is working at Grace Adventures, a camp in Mears.
“The Summer Youth Program provides students with experience working in teams, communicating with professionals, and interacting with the public,” said Shyann Colton, a school psychologist with the ESD who is in her third summer of supervising students working at Ludington State Park. “They’re working with people at the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) who could become great employment references in the future.”
Job duties at the state park include picking up litter on the beach, dumping trash barrels at the campground and picnic areas, sweeping sidewalks and grooming trails. They repair broken tables and can even pour concrete. An unofficial yet important part of the job is helping campers and day users find what they need.
Shifts at the state park are four hours, Monday through Thursday.
To be eligible to apply for a summer job through this program, students need to be between the ages of 14 and 26 years, been diagnosed with a learning disability, and be physically able to perform manual labor in summer heat.
“Even in a six- to eight-week program you see students growing in focus, confidence and employability skills,” Shyann said. “They learn that having a job is a big-time commitment, and one that might interfere with their family vacation plans. They learn that expectations may be different at work than at school, and they adjust.”
The students were part of a dedicated team that prepared the park and campground for its grand reopening in June, demonstrating their overall importance to park operations over the busy summer months.
“This summer program has been a long-standing and valuable partnership between the ESD and wonderful organizations in our region,” said Julia Mac, ESD transitions coordinator. “It offers meaningful real-world experiences for our students and showcases the how we can all work together to support student learning."