Jobs program is painting the town red — and other colors
Managing editor
When asked what they are doing this summer, teens typically say they are watching TV, hanging out with friends. baby-sitting for siblings, swimming, helping around the house, playing video games, or doing “nothing much.”
Some would like to have summer jobs but may find themselves competing with older, skilled workers or teens who already had a job before school ended.
This summer is different for four area youths: Melissa Penwell, 17; Tyshia Penwell, 18; Cody Diloreto; 15, and Derek Stuchlik, 15. They have an opportunity to make money and help their community.
Melissa, Tyshia, and Cody are doing the outdoor work. Derek is creating a database of Marion High School alumni.
“I wouldn’t have a job if not for this,” Melissa said.
Tyshia would baby-sit for siblings or go swimming with friends.
Instead, the girls are earning money they plan to use, among other places, at an amusement park their family plans to visit.
The jobs with the City of Marion are part of Kansas Summer Youth Work Program which gives teens from lower to middle-income families an opportunity to assist with money, city projects.
Using federal stimulus package, the state pays for their labor. The city provides material and supervision.
“It’s a great deal,” said Doug Kjellin, Marion economic development director and crew supervisor.
The group began a project June 16 of painting the 120 city fire hydrants June 16.
The painting is necessary to meet state standards that require hydrants to be painted in colors indicating the amount of water that can be pumped.
“They were pretty ambitious the first day,” Kjellin said. The teens painted several dozen hydrants.
Hydrants in shaded residential districts were painted in the afternoons.
“There also are indoor jobs they can do when the weather is too hot or raining,” Kjellin said.
Payday is every two weeks. Students may work up to 32 hours a week during the next two months. Come can make as much as $1,300 for two months’ work.
When the hydrant project is completed, the foursome will re-paint house numbers on curbs.
“This is a great program for them,” Kjellin said. “They aren’t taking any jobs away from city staff but are doing projects to benefit the city.