Oak Future Seeks Funds for 15 More Summer Jobs After 180 Youth Apply

1 articles · Updated · Local 5 - weareiowa.com · May 23

Oak Future’s Youth Employment Center is trying to raise enough money to expand its summer program by 15 slots after receiving 180 applications in Des Moines’ Oakridge neighborhood.
The center can currently serve only 65 participants, and each placement costs about $3,500, leaving demand far above available funding.
Youth ages 14 to 24 get more than paychecks through the program, which also offers financial literacy, soft-skills training and civic engagement alongside community work experience.
The fundraising push comes as U.S. Census data show labor-force participation among 16- to 19-year-olds has fallen 8%, a trend the program says could hurt future career readiness.
Oak Future, which has served youth for 30 years, hopes business partners and other donors will help it widen access this summer.

As youth job rates fall, are intensive $3,500 programs the answer or just a temporary fix?

With Iowa's low unemployment, why are 115 young applicants in Des Moines being left behind?