The showcase will be held Saturday, February 9 at the Muhammad Ali Center, 144 N. 6th St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants and their parents or guardians may tour the Ali Center for free.
“Teenagers in our city have dozens of opportunities available for jobs and volunteering,” Abramson said. “We have been able to pull the best agencies and employers together under one roof for this special event, making it easier for parents and teens to find work or activities for a variety of interests.”
Young adults ages 16 to 21 can apply for hundreds of jobs with employers including Kentucky Kingdom, Kroger stores, Home Depot, Louisville Metro Government, Marriott Hotels and Norton Healthcare.
Some of the jobs are for the summer, but most of the jobs are for year-round work available for youth. Computer stations will be available for youth to apply for jobs. Career and college preparation resources will be available.
Young adults and teenagers interested in applying for jobs should dress for an interview, bring identification and have several copies of their resume.
Parents of middle school students can pick up information about summer camps, and young teens can sign up to volunteer at the Louisville Science Center.
“Youth in this community have a great chance to build their resumes by working for some of the premier employers in Louisville,” said Michael Gritton, executive director of KentuckianaWorks. “These jobs are also great opportunities to learn on-the-job skills and focus on a possible future career.”
The Youth Opportunity Showcase began after a 2005 report compiled by the Louisville Metro Alliance for Youth showed a strong need for employment, volunteer and educational resources. The data, prepared for the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, shows Louisville is making significant progress in teen school attendance, drop-out rates and employment. But, like most cities, Louisville continues to battle teen substance abuse and juvenile delinquency.
“We know that when we provide activities and job opportunities for young people they are less likely to become involved in dangerous activities that may be detrimental to their future,” Abramson said. “The Youth Opportunity Showcase provides a chance to connect young people with jobs and activities that are available in this community.”
“The Youth Opportunities Showcase is a great one-stop shop for youth and parents to find jobs and also get information on year-round activities that help young adults focus on education, leadership and job training, said Darrell Aniton, director of the Louisville Metro Office of Youth Development.
The Youth Opportunity Showcase is being coordinated by the Louisville Metro Office of Youth Development. It is sponsored in part by Kentuckiana Works, the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training and the Muhammad Ali Center.