Contributed SKILLS LEARNED — The Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities Community Employment Program wrapped up its 17th-annual Summer Youth Program Friday, helping more than a dozen teens and young adults sharpen their work skills to successfully gain future employment. Among those participating in the progream were Amari Wilson, at front, with James Wooden, Katelin Russell, Zayne Carlson and Kaleb Manion.

TORONTO — The 2025 Summer Youth Program has come to close after helping more than a dozen teens hone their skills to successfully gain employment.

Young participants 15 to 18 years old wrapped up the second of two sessions on Aug. 8 by beautifying and organizing around the city of Toronto. Now in its 17th year, the program has aided countless teens and young adults with developmental and intellectual needs in their journey to become independent adults by preparing them for the job front. It is conducted through the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ Community Employment Services and participants spent weeks performing entry-level tasks such as weeding, mulching, painting and other maintenance under the guidance of community employment specialists Renee Pastre Hanlin and Elyzabeth Grimm. They worked four days per week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and earned minimum wage for their duties, plus they became equipped with crucial work and soft skills needed to become employed.

The program includes participants between the ages of 14 and 22 who require an individualized education plan, and the youth represent a multitude of local school districts including Buckeye Local, Indian Creek, Edison, and Toronto, as well as Jefferson County Joint Vocational School. Officials said the goal is to offer pre-employment transition services throughout the school year, followed by the summer youth work program in a comprehensive approach that will continue until the student graduates and is employed. The first session ran from June 4-27 and seven teens busily spruced up Jefferson Lake State Park in Richmond, while the latest endeavor ran from July 9 through Friday and included nine participants working throughout the Gem City.

Grimm said this was the group’s first time working in Toronto and plans are already in the works to return next year. Duties ranged from organizing the storage center for Inspire Toronto to mulching and making improvements along the brush bridge for Hike Toronto, plus they tended to the city gardens by weeding, watering and mulching the area. The youth also cleaned the Karaffa Recreation Center and Toronto American Legion and painted curbs throughout city, including along Dennis Way near Toronto High School.

She added that they enjoyed the experience and learned valuable employability skills for the future.

“They really liked it. They said they enjoyed the laughter, friendships and different experiences they received,” Grimm continued. “They build basic work skills and migrate into future employment.”

Officials added that three graduating seniors transitioned directly into employment at Franciscan University of Steubenville and Kroger last year and one of this year’s members was joining the job front.

“We have had students move on and get jobs and currently one has shown great work skills and is transitioning into employment,” Grimm noted.

A few of the young workers shared how much they enjoyed the experience.

Indian Creek High School senior Kaleb Manion said he liked painting and making money, adding that he hoped to use his savings to visit the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp next year. This was his second year to take part and he said he has learned a lot.

“I learned about great work (skills), working together, and making new friends,” Manion commented.

Zayne Carlson, a recent graduate of Toronto High School and the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, said he enjoyed painting, organizing at the Karaffa Center and learning skills to be employed. He was planning to get a job in the near future.

Steubenville High School senior Katelin Russell was equally enthusiastic.

“It’s fun,” she said. “I learn a lot about work skills and making friends and (I liked) painting.”