About
GRow1000 was launched in the summer of 2020 as a response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing racial injustices and economic disparities. City Manager Mark Washington called on business and community leaders to help mitigate these effects by employing 1,000 young people during the summer. The community stepped up to the challenge! In just a few weeks, over 350 youth were employed in more than 60 unique job sites that spanned area businesses, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions and government. In the summer of 2021, we hired nearly another 290 young people ages 15 to 24 at over 70 unique job sites.
During the spring and summer of 2023, GRow1000 Academy will again take place funded in part by Bank of America! This employment experience is curated with the 18 to 24-year-old population in mind. These young people will enhance their employability skills, (re)discover gifts and talents, and build upon their ability to make meaningful decisions.
Participants will work a total of 16 weeks, 20 hours per week and make $17/hr. Work experiences will be curated to ensure exposure to all aspects of participating business/org. — creating pathways to future careers.
Eligibility
- Be eligible to work in the United States
- Age 18 to 24
- Compete program application
- Live in the city of Grand Rapids (Program admission preferences will be given to residents and those who live in a Neighborhood of Focus where unemployment rates are the highest and access to capital is limited)
- Mandatory training in April
- Commit to working 16 weeks at 20 hrs./week
Program & Employment Dates:
- Professional Development Training: April 24th – May 5th
- Job Fair & Matching: Week of May 8th
- Employment Dates: May – August 2023 (16 weeks)
