City of Little Rock Public Relations
Office (501) 371-4421

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Contact(s):Scott Carter
501-371-4421

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :
Thursday, May 29, 2008

LR CITY, CHAMBER, NEW FUTURES PARTNER TO EMPLOYEE OVER 400 YOUTH AT OVER 100 WORKSITES

2008 Summer Jobs Alliance Launches Effort

(Thursday, May 29, 2008) – “Earlier this year, the City of Little Rock set a goal of employing over 400 youths in the Summer Jobs Alliance at over 100 sites,” said City Director Ken Richardson. “I am happy and proud to say we have met both of those goals!”

At a luncheon today, Director Richardson and others expressed their appreciation to the more than 100 businesses and organizations that will be employing Little Rock youth through the Summer Jobs Alliance.

The Summer Jobs Alliance is a joint initiative of the City of Little Rock, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, and New Futures for Youth.

“When Little Rock’s youth have job opportunities, it helps the entire City,” stated Dorothy Nayles, Director of Community Programs for the City.

“We recognize that many youth do not understand all the aspects of having a job,” said Director Richardson, who is also Director of Program Services for New Futures for Youth. “So we design this program to teach youth about being a good employee. Before starting with their assignment, we offer a week of training. This gives the participants the opportunity to learn about appropriate employee behavior, clothing, and other expectations from employers. This not only helps the youth learn, but it assures the participating employers that their employees will be outstanding representatives of the organization.”

This is the 13th year for the Summer Jobs Alliance. “We have had many successes from this program,” said Marq Golden, who coordinates the program for the City. “The youths learn life lessons and earn money. The employers are employing outstanding youth while having their own human resources needs met.”

The Summer Jobs Alliance was one of the programs cited in Little Rock’s selection as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People in 2008, the third year (out of three) that Little Rock has been selected for this honor.

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2008 Summer Youth Employment Worksites include:

All God’s Children CC Daycare
American Red Cross Blood Services
Anderson’s Taekwondo Center
Arkansas Baptist Kiddie Kollege
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Arkansas Community Dispute Resolution
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arkansas Department of Human Services
Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
Arkansas Department of Highway and Transportation
Arkansas Foodbank Network, Inc.
Arkansas Hope Inc. Covenant Summer Camp
Arkansas Minority Health Commission
Arkansas Mississippi Minority Business Council
Arkansas New Hire Reporting Center
Arkansas State Board of Private Career Education
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
Arkansas State Police
Arkansas Teacher Housing Development Foundation
Arkansas Workforce Center PSI
Black Community Developers
Bonners Gro., Inc.
Boys & Girls Club
Bullock Temple CME
Carousel Fit-4-Life Wellness Center
CDI Contractors
Center of Healing Hearts and Spirits
Central Arkansas Library System
Central Arkansas Development Council
Changing Channels Ministries
City of Little Rock
Clara Mohammed Schools, Inc.
Communications Center
Crothall Patient and Guest Services
Disability Rights Center
Dreamland Academy
E&H Electronics
Educational Opportunity Center
Elect Temple
Financial Resources
Forest Park Medical Center
Fulton Press
Greater Center Star Church Christian Susmmer Camp
Greater Expectations Learning Academy
In a Childs world
In His Image Youth Development Center
Inner City Futurenet
Jones Landscaping and Lawn Services, Inc.
Jumpstart to Education, Inc.
K&S Asphalt Seal Coating
K. Hall & Sons
Kearney Law Office
Kidsmart Ed. Services
Law Offices of Simmons Smith
Lawson’s Learning Academy
Lewis-Burnett Employment Finder
Linda’s Learning Center
Lita’s House
Little Rock School District
Little Rock Workforce Investment Board
Love + Patience Child Care Center
Lynn’s Wonderland Day Care Center
ManPower
Marshall Management Inc.
Martin Luther King Jr. Commission
Mea’s Collections
Metropolitan Career and Technical Center
MM’s Child Development
Ms. Karen’s CDC
Museum of Discovery
Our House, Inc.
P.A.R.K.
Perfecting Love Child Care Center
Philander Smith College
Porter Law Firm
Pulaski County Government
Quality Security Services
Rail Road Retirement
RSVP Catering
Simone’s Home Inc.
St. Francis House
St. John Vision Center
St. Mark Baptist Church
The Step UP Support Center
Tweety’s World LLC
UALR
UAMS
U-Haul
Uncle T’s Foodmart
Velvatex College
Walker’s Body Shop
The Watershed
Dr. Rodney Williams
Woods Caradine Architects
Word of Outreach Christian Academy
Your Touch Cornice Design and Silk Floral