Hire KC Youth:

Hire KC Youth is a citywide initiative dedicated to unlocking opportunity and connecting youth to future careers in Kansas City.  The mission of Hire KC Youth is to improve the social and economic outcomes of the region’s youth by attracting, aligning, and investing resources in coordinated, next-generation youth workforce programs.

• Green Works – Find job skill training, financial literacy and paid summer internships that prepare students for life after high school
• 20/20 Leadership – The mission of 20/20 Leadership is to educate and expose students to community issues, teach leadership skills and build community-wide relationships, all of which encourage success in life. Ultimately 20/20 Leadership creates a stronger work force and a more involved community.
• Urban Ranger Corps – Learn about a program that prepares inner-city male teens through work experience, service and leadership
• Youth Ambassadors – Develop life and soft job skills through creative expression and academic success
• Summer Job League – Find workforce placement opportunities for ages 16-24 to earn workplace skill certificates and to connect with area businesses
• High Aspirations – Develop personal and life skills, available to African-American young men
• Boys Grow – Learn about entrepreneurship in this program for inner-city boys ages 14-16

AVID – 972-591-2550 – Simply, AVID trains educators to use proven practices in order to prepare students for success in high school, college, and a career, especially students traditionally underrepresented in higher education.

Cristo Rey Network – 816-457-6044 – As the largest network of high schools in the United States whose enrollment is limited to low-income youth, the Cristo Rey Network delivers a distinctive approach to inner-city education that equips students with the knowledge, character, and skills to transform their lives. From freshman year, Cristo Rey schools establish a culture of high-expectations by blending rigorous academics, four years of professional work experience, Catholic moral values, and support for students to and through college.

GearUP – 913-432-0435 – The GEAR UP program is a federally funded program (U.S.D.E) designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

Job Corps – 816-921-3366 – Job Corps’ mission is to help young people ages 16 through 24 (soon to have an age cap of 28) improve the quality and satisfaction of their lives through vocational and academic training.

National Math and Science Initiative – 214-346-1200 – NMSI’s College Readiness Program is a comprehensive approach that increases teacher effectiveness and student achievement in rigorous math and science courses through training, teacher and student support, vertical teaming, open enrollment, and incentives.

Teen Life – Access resources to assist with college admissions and prep, gap year programs, community service, tutoring and test prep

Career Exploring – Engage in mentorships and career and life-enhancing opportunities

KU Talent Search – 913-342-9823 – KU TRIO Talent Search offers students and their families a number of services to help in the postsecondary decision making process.

PREP-KC – 816-931-7737 – PREP-KC is improving the education of Kansas City’s urban students by providing resources to prepare all students for college and careers.

Upward Bound-Avila University – 816-501-2400 – Upward Bound is a federally funded program that prepares its participants for college. It serves first generation and/or limited-income students. The Upward Bound (UB) program is designed to foster in its students the skills and motivation necessary for a successful high school career and smooth transition to college.

Factors To Consider before Taking A Job

There are a lot of things to think about when applying for a job. Many individuals applying for a job will take the job with the highest hourly wage but that is just one of many things to consider.

1. Pay for College/Career Training (many companies offer this incentive)
2. Childcare (onsite or reimbursement)
3. Health benefits (you may not need them now but think down the line)
4. Commute (Commuting costs an average of $2,600 per year)
5. Flexibility (Work-life balance) 6. Company perks (free lunches, discounts on products, etc.)
6. Corporate culture (Your ability to mesh with your coworkers)
7. Health of the company (some companies are on shaky ground)
8. Opportunities for advancement (with hard work, can you advance?)
9. Retirement benefits (it’s never too early to start) 11. Training (adding to your skill set is key to staying relevant and competitive in a job market)
10. Time off (paid sick leave, vacation time and holidays)

Understanding Your Paycheck

Your paycheck can be very overwhelming to understand. If you make $9.00 per hour and work 10 hours per week, then you should make $90.00, right? Well…. that is what you make before taxes and deductions. Luckily, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has put a group of educational documents together that can easily explain your paycheck and how to make the most of it.

The PDF fact sheets below are designed for employees to learn more about their paychecks and how to get the most from them.

• Understanding Your Paycheck: English | Spanish
• Managing Your Paycheck: Withholdings: English | Spanish
• Managing Your Paycheck: Deductions: English | Spanish
• Getting Your Paycheck: Direct Deposit, Check or Payroll Card: English | Spanish
• Expanding Your Paycheck: Benefits and Services to Consider: English | Spanish
• Ten Actions to Get More from Your Paycheck: English | Spanish

Helpful Information Links:

• Prepare a résumé
• Prepare a cover letter
• Find a job: Career Builder, KC Jobs, Kansas Works and Missouri Works
• Understand small business opportunities
• Earn a job certification
• Review area colleges: Kansas and Missouri
• Find a trade school: Kansas and Missouri
• Understand your paycheck, taxes, deductions and social security
• Make the most of what you earn
• Plan your retirement benefits

Find A Job