(FLINT, Mich., Sept. 10, 2014) – While teens are settling into a new school year, it’s also a good time to start thinking about future jobs. The TeenQuest pre-employment leadership program is offering training at five locations in its fall session starting Monday, Sept. 15.
Applications will be accepted through Sept. 15 from youths ages 14-18, grades 9-12, for this first session of four scheduled for the 2014-15 school year at these locations and times:
- Baker Career Academy, 4-6 p.m.
- Atherton High School, 2:45-4:45 p.m.
- Cathedral of Faith, 4-6 p.m.
- International Academy of Flint, 4-6 p.m.
- Southwestern Academy, 2:45-4:45 p.m.
“It’s never too early to start planning for summer jobs,” said Rhetta Hunyady, Vice President, Education and Training, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. “TeenQuest is the first step toward employment. In only five weeks, we get teens workforce-ready and full of confidence. We’re excited to kick off the new school year with this fall session.”
TeenQuest is a five-week training program designed to help Flint & Genesee youths prepare for success in the future. Students learn the basics of teamwork, business etiquette, work ethics, communication, goal setting and conflict resolution.
The first 2014-15 session runs through Oct. 16. Other sessions are:
- Nov. 3-Dec. 4, 2014
- Jan. 12-Feb. 12, 2015
- Feb. 23-March 26, 2015
In addition to the age and grade requirements, students must commit to attending the TeenQuest program two hours per day after school, Monday through Thursday, over the five-week period.
TeenQuest is also a pre-requisite for employment through the Summer Youth Initiative (SYI), which matches employers with hundreds of TeenQuest graduates for summer employment. Nonprofit organizations and businesses that hire TeenQuest graduates are eligible to have 50 percent to 100 percent of costs subsidized.
This past summer, 617 youths ages 14-18 were employed through SYI, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources , the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and some for-profit businesses.
For more information about TeenQuest, contact Hunyady at or (810) 600-1412.
About the Summer Youth Initiative and TeenQuest
The Summer Youth Initiative is a program that helps Flint-area teens find paid summer jobs. It’s open to students who’ve completed the TeenQuest afterschool program, which provides pre-employment and leadership training to students ages 14 to 19 to help them succeed in college and the 21st century workplace. In 2016, nearly 600 teens gained experience and a paycheck working for local businesses and agencies. Both programs are administered by the Genesee Area Focus Fund, a supporting organization of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. To apply or learn more, visit www.flintandgenesee.org/teenquest.