Approximately 53 teens from Hocking, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, and Vinton counties participated in this year’s Summer Youth Program, offered by the Goodwill of South Central Ohio. The annual five-week paid work program provided local teens their first experiences in the job market. Due to COVID-19, the program allowed teens to choose between the traditional hands-on approach or a remote experience.
This year's participating employers included Dogwood Pass, Cooks Creek Golf Club, Millstone Southern Smoked BBQ, North River Place Apartments, Shawnee Valley Campground and Kayak Rental, Waverly YMCA, Waverly Rural King, and Goodwill stores in Chillicothe, Circleville, and Waverly.
“The reason we do it is to help the kids and let them learn how to support themselves,” Mike Montgomery, of Dogwood Pass, said. “It’s a great thing.”