The Youth Employment Initiative is a workforce development program designed to prepare young adults (16 - 24 y.o) for success. Participants will gain paid work experience, receive career coaching, and build the skills needed to thrive in college, career training, or the workplace.

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About the Program

Participants will explore careers and connect to education, training, and opportunities. They will earn while they learn through paid work experience with local employers and one-on-one career coaching to help them meet their goals. The Youth Employment Initiative will provide transportation assistance to both program activities and work.

Eligibility

This program is open to Toledo residents between 16 and 24 years old. Priority consideration is offered to residents of Toledo's Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas (Junction, Englewood, and Old South End).

Selected participants must:

• Attend the Youth Workforce Readiness Institute (Oct 5 - December 18, 2026)
• Maintain paid employment (January - May 2027)

Timeline

• August 28 – Application Due
  
• September 7-12 – Interviews
• September 18 – Selected participants notified
• October 5 – Program begins
• January - May 2027 – Paid employment

More Info:

This program is funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Questions?