YouthWork is taking applications for adults ages 17-26+ to join our summer work experience program. Members will earn a living stipend (paycheck), scholarship, and have an unforgettable experience – all while they learn vital skills and support local communities.
All are welcome at YouthWork. As a mission-driven, nonprofit program, we proudly accept and deliberately recruit participants with varying backgrounds, capabilities, experience, and skills. We provide the tools, training, transportation, and other supports to help our members succeed. Women and individuals from the BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disability communities are encouraged to apply.
This summer, YouthWork will have crews serving around the state including in the regions listed below. Don’t live in one of these areas but still want to apply? Spend your summer camping around the state by joining a Spike Camp Crew!
- Upper Peninsula - Alger/Delta/Marquette/Schoolcraft/Houghton/Keweenaw
- Central Michigan - Lake/Newaygo/Mason/Oceana/Bay/Saginaw/Shiawassee
- Southeast Michigan – Oakland/Wayne/Macomb/Monroe
- Northern Michigan - Benzie/Grand Traverse/Kalkaska/Leelanau/Wexford/Antrim/Charlevoix/Emmet/Cheboygan
YouthWork Basics:
- Youth receive a bi-weekly living stipend (paycheck) via direct deposit of $1,000-1,400 (pre-tax). Participant’s living stipend is paid in even increments (somewhat like a salary) and totals $4,500 for an entire 300-hour term or $6,750 for an entire 450-hour term.
- Summer terms typically run 8-10 weeks (some longer terms are available) beginning in May/June to August/September, depending on participants availability. Crews are in the field Monday through Thursday for 40 hours per week (four 10-hour days). YouthWork provides comprehensive training, transportation to and from the daily project site, and daily supervision and support.
- Upon successful completion, participants receive an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award (scholarship) of $1,300-$1,700 that can be used towards eligible higher education expenses (more at https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award)
- Participants are assigned to a local YouthWork crew with 2-4 other youth supervised by an adult Crew Leader.
- Crews go out into their local community and complete various conservation and skilled trades projects for public and nonprofit partners (for example, parks and recreation departments, the National Park Service, US Forest Service, conservancies or conservation districts, etc.). Projects might include planting trees, developing trails, light construction, landscaping, invasive species removal, historic preservation, etc. Some projects are completed in a day or less while others may take several weeks.
