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“Learn and Earn” – a first job for many, including refugee & immigrant kids

August 3 marked the annual pizza party for 45 kids finishing up their summer jobs through the “Learn and Earn” program. “Learn and Earn” is a county-wide summer employment program for youths 14 to 21. JFCS is one of many administrative providers who recruit and train participants, often from the refugee and immigrant communities.
At the party, students shared presentations, showed photographs, and/or just recounted their experiences to the group: their duties, the new people they met, and over and over again how grateful they were to their employers who welcomed and mentored them.
“I’m a firm believer in allowing kids to see what options are out there, so they can explore who they are,” said Sharyn Rubin, Director of Resident and Community Services at Jewish Association on Aging (JAA), who hires “Learn and Earn” students every summer.
Morgan and Madison worked at the JAA bringing pleasure to the residents’ days though music and crafts. At Brentwood Library, Roshna and Kritika, both Bhutanese, liked that there were different things to do every day. Yuba, also Bhutanese, said that this year – his third summer in the program – he had landed the perfect job at BotsIQPA, helping people build robots. Great experience for a young man who wants to pursue a career in software design and engineering!
JFCS invests in youth programming and “Learn and Earn” as part of our long-term commitment to all refugees and immigrants who come through our doors. We offer services that empower them to create a fulfilling successful life in their new country. And we want to help these young people find their place here and become equipped to follow their dreams.
Photos: (top) Learn and Earn Party, August 3; (middle) Yuba at the party talking about his jov at BotsIQ; (bottom) Kritika at Brentwood Library