(Seguin) — Having a summer job is often described as a rite of passage.
It’s that time in their life when they are offered a first taste of independence and a hard-earned paycheck. But for youth with disabilities, it can be a much tougher challenge. However, thanks to Workforce Solutions Alamo, many of these young people are spending this summer at work.
James Keith, director of public and government relations for Workforce Solutions Alamo, says businesses across this region have embraced its Summer Earn and Learn (SEAL) program. He says this network of inclusive supportive work environments continues to grow in and around Seguin.
“We at Workforce Solutions Alamo, we are in 13 different counties – the counties surrounding San Antonio including Guadalupe County and so what we do is we work with employers who are willing to hire young people who may have a disability. People who may not get a chance at finding employment so we work on trying to identify those employers who are willing to work with people who have a disability or who have a challenge and we identify them and then we work to identify those young people who are looking for employment and then ultimately, what we do is we connect them and those young people up to the age of 22 are then able to go and work throughout the summer for about six weeks. They are able to earn $12.50 an hour for their work, and they are able to get that hands on experience while collecting a paycheck,” said Keith.
`Keith says in Seguin, Cactus Cleaners welcomed SEAL participants, providing them with “valuable workplace experience and meaningful mentorship.” He says other nearby businesses and municipalities, including the City of La Vernia and employers in New Braunfels also took part. He says from an employer standpoint, they have nothing to lose by participating in this program.
“We encourage our employers to take a chance. This is an opportunity to help a young person explore a new career. We have seen situations where employers are able to hire these participants on a long-term basis afterwards,” said Keith. “We also provide supplemental funding, so you really have nothing to lose from an employer’s standpoint. You are getting that financial support.”
Other employers who participated in SEAL in 2024:
AACOG, Agape Ministries, All City Youth (Floresville), American GI Forum NVOP, BFI Treasures, Bulverde Thrift Store (Spring Branch), Cactus Cleaners (Seguin), Camp Cummins Activity Center (New Braunfels), CGB Gym (Jourdanton), Charlotte ISD (Charlotte), City of Boerne, City of Charlotte, City of Hondo, City of La Vernia, City of Pearsall, City of Poteet, Community Council of South Central Texas, Cibolo Grange #1541 (Cibolo), Detex (New Braunfels), Eden Hills Community (New Braunfels), El Castillo Mexican Restaurant (Pleasanton), Elmers, Embassy Airport, Embassy Landmark, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Floresville Food Pantry, Good Shepherd Hospice, Housing Authority of Bexar County, Jourdanton ISD, Kenedy Housing Authority, La Mesa Restaurant (Poteet), Lytle ISD, MOD Pizza, New Braunfels Food Bank, Pleasanton ISD, Plestex (Pleasanton), San Antonio Food Bank, Shifters (Pleasanton), Silver Sage (Bandera), Taco Cabana, Texas Air Museum Stinson Chapter, The Backyard Kitchen (Poteet), Toyotetsu Texas, Inc, VIA.
To learn more about becoming a SEAL employer or to apply as a participant, visit workforcesolutionsalamo.org/seal.
The local office is located at 1411 E. Court St. The office can be reached by calling 830-379-3102.