Summer is here and Oakland Youth Engaged (OYE) youth are ready to work! Every summer the OYE program trains nearly 30 youth ages 14 to 18 to work at local Fruitvale business and organizations. The program has become an important aspect of many local employers because they rely on work ready youth to meet the seasonal work.
One of the many employers the OYE programs works with is Friends of Peralta Hacienda Historical Park. Every summer, Peralta Hacienda offers ACE Camp, a seven-week summer camp for low-income children in Fruitvale. Many OYE participants join Peralta Hacienda during the summer to work as Activity Leaders and Coaches.
When asked about OYE participants Elena Frink, Youth Programs Director at Peralta Hacienda said, “We could not do our youth programs without OYE [youth]…They give input and add value to the camp’s experience.” As described by Frink, the OYE participants are a real asset because they are familiar with the neighborhood and most of them are bilingual, which alleviates the language barrier between staff and ESL kids and monolingual parents that are part of summer camp. Frink also mentioned how interns are always enthusiastic, happy and ready to work and take the initiative as needed.
All OYE participants receive communication and customer service training, as well as work etiquette and punctuality workshops before they are sent to a work site. If you would like to host an intern this summer, please email Ashley Nelson, Engagement Specialist at anelson@unitycouncil.org for more info!
About OYE
Oakland Youth Engaged (OYE) is a free career exploration and work readiness program for youth ages 14 to 18. OYE develops young people’s employment skills, leadership, and self-confidence through workshops, community service opportunities and hands-on work experiences. OYE is divided into two phases, a workshop phase and an internship phase.