The Rockdale County Summer JOBS+ program is looking for businesses to serve as worksites for its participants. Youths will need to employed from June 1 - July 24.

"It's a win-win for business owners. They get a chance to impact a youth's life and they're getting a helping hand at no cost to them. Also, there is no liability because we pay for the insurance as well," said Evelyn Cooksey, Executive Director of Ceek To Fulfill, a non-profit agency that works to help emancipated foster youths.

Ceek to Fulfill and CorVel are facilitating the program in Rockdale. Funding for the JOBS+ is provided by a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is distributed locally through the Atlanta Regional Commission.

"We receive funds to employ youth so that they have the opportunity to get work experience. All the businesses have to do is be willing to give the youths consistent work, be willing to give them feedback on how they are performing, and be willing to attend a meet and greet so the youths can be exposed to potential employers ahead of time."

Business owners also are expected to provide supervisors for the youths during their time of employment and ensure participants.
"We are also asking them to give us a brief job description to help us place the youths," said Cooksey.

The Rockdale County Summer JOBS+ for Youth program is open to county residents, ages 14 to 24 years old in foster care or low -income households. Cooksey said she hopes to put 150 youths to work this summer.

To volunteer a business, call Cooksey at 770-602-0543 or Carol Guertin at 404-484-5400.