YouthWorks Job Program

What is YouthWorks?

YouthWorks is a state-funded summer and year-round job program for Massachusetts low-income youth. The program subsidizes private, public, and non-profit jobs for at-risk youths who are between 14 and 21 years old.

One of the goals of the program is to lower juvenile detention rates by giving jobs to youth who have been involved in the courts or are otherwise at risk.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for YouthWorks:

• you must be between the ages of 14 and 21 at some time during the period of employment

• you must meet the income limits

• In general, you must live in one of the 25 targeted Massachusetts cities and towns:

  Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Chelsea, Chicopee, Fall River, Fitchburg, Framingham, Gardner, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Quincy, Randolph, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Weymouth, Worcester

  However, up to 10% of the jobs can be given to youths who live outside these regions.

• In general, you must be in an at-risk priority category. You do not have to be enrolled in school. YouthWorks encourages youths who are not in school and are not working to take part in the program.

Who gets priority?

Youths in certain risk categories get first priority for YouthWorks jobs:

• youths with a history of juvenile delinquency
• youths with a history of drug or alcohol abuse
• school dropouts, or those at risk of dropping out
• youths in foster care, or recently aged out of foster care
• homeless youths
• children of single working parents
• teen parents
• youths who are not fluent in English
• immigrants

What are the income limits?

Standard YouthWorks Income Guidelines:

In years except 2009, family annual income cannot be greater than 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. These are the same income limits used for the free school lunch program. See School Meals - What are the income limits?

If you are enrolled in school and get free school lunch, you meet the income limits. The program looks at your family's income for the most recent 6 months to decide if you are eligible.

YouthWorks 2009 Income Guidelines:

New higher income limits were in effect for 2009 so that more youth could take part in the program. To qualify in 2009, family income could not be greater than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).

YouthWorks 2009 ran from May 1, 2009 through August 28, 2009.

What benefits will I get?

You will get:

• summer or year-round employment, usually 30 hours a week, at a public, non-profit, or private job. Summer jobs last a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks. Students enrolled in secondary school cannot work more than 15 hours per week while school is in session.
    
• an hourly wage that is at least the minimum wage of $8.00 per hour
   
• referrals to other programs and support services (for example, work-based learning, mentoring, and English classes)

YouthWorks has a summer employment program and a year-round job program. Jobs can continue through December if funds are available.

Your employer must follow the Massachusetts Child Labor Laws. There are restrictions on how late at night 16- and 17-year-olds can work. All minors must have an adult supervisor after 8 PM.

How do I apply?

To apply for a YouthWorks job, call the organization in charge of your local YouthWorks program:

• YouthWorks: City/Town Contact Information
   
• YouthWorks toll-free Hotline: 1-866-968-8461

School guidance counselors also have information about YouthWorks.

Useful links

These links are external links to web sites that are not part of MassResources.org. When you click on these links, you will leave our site. Click "Back" on your browser to return.

1. YouthWorks
   Overview of the YouthWorks program, information for youth and employers, and contact information. From Commonwealth Corporation. Includes:

   • 2009 YouthWorks Program Specifications (PDF)
   • 2009 YouthWorks Household Income Guidelines (PDF)

YouthWorks section last updated on 4/14/10