GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A grant going to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Green Bay will help a program that prepares local teens looking to join the workforce.
During a ceremony Friday, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt presented a $35,000 check to the club’s nationally awarded and locally developed Teens2Work program.
“It’s important we engage the youth and show them the opportunities for multiple careers in greater Green Bay,” Schmitt says. “I want to thank the Boys and Girls Club for continuing to further career readiness among youth in our community.”
Since 2009, Teens2Work has seen nearly 600 teens complete the three-step program, with over half of them securing local employment, and many more actively volunteering in the community.
“There are many businesses in the greater Green Bay area that need a locally grown talent pipeline to replace retiring boomers and/or increase capacity,” said Boys and Girls Club of Greater Green Bay Executive Director John Benberg. “The workforce of tomorrow is at Club today, and we are preparing them for that role with the help of this grant.”
The money will be used to support more than 100 Club members who annually take part in the program by financially assisting program needs, activities, staff, job shadows, guest speakers and more.
Teens2Work welcomes Club members ages 13 to 18 to join and fight their way through finding their passions and goals. The programs within Teens2Work include:
- Career Launch — workforce etiquette and career exploration focus
- Money Matters — financial literacy and responsibility focus
- Junior Staff — youth employment opportunity
Teens successfully graduate by completing all 3 parts of the program.
The $35,000 grant was awarded through Green Bay’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Green Bay was 1 of 3 organizations chosen out of 9 applicants to receive funds.
