Targeting areas of the city with disadvantaged residents, the City of Grand Rapids will launch GRow1000, a partnership with businesses and organizations aimed at hiring 1,000 young people ages 15-21.
The partnership includes some of the area’s largest employers, including Spectrum Health, Amway, and Meijer.
Running July 13 through August 21, participating young people can earn $10 an hour for 20 each week for up to $1,500 during the program.
The program will prioritize certain zip codes that “have been most heavily impacted by disproportionate outcomes, including COVID-19,” said the city’s release. But applicants only have to prove they are city residents, are age 15-21 as of July 22, and be eligible to work in the U.S.
Youth can apply here through June 29
The young people hired will be paid by the city but work with one of the companies or organizations that have signed on to support GRow1000.
Organizations can still register
“These jobs will not only help better downtown Grand Rapids but will also help youth in our city gain important skills to succeed in the future,” said Tim Kelly, president and CEO of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Participating organizations to darticipating organizations to date:
- Amway Corp.
- Autocam Medical
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- Brian Harris
- Cascade Engineering
- City of Grand Rapids
- Crystal Flash
- CWD Real Estate Investment
- DeVos Foundation
- Feyen Zylstra
- Grand Valley State University
- Huntington Bank
- JD Loeks
- Jireh Metal Products
- Kent County
- Meijer
- Metro Health
- Mixed Staffing & Recruiting
- OST
- PNC Bank
- Rockford Construction
- SeyferthPR
- Spectrum
- Steelcase
- Trillium Investments
- Warner Norcross + Judd
- Wege Foundation
- Windquest
- Wolverine Worldwide