C.A.R.E. - Career Awareness Related Experience, City of Columbia, MO

Parks & Recreation
Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs

C.A.R.E. - Career Awareness Related Experience

Columbia's Youth Employment and Education Program
NEW LOCATION - Armory Community Center, 701 East Ash
(573) 874-6300

JOB APPLICATION (UPDATED 2/11)

EMPLOYER JOB SITE AGREEMENT (UPDATED 2/11)

Youth Employment & Education Program

Since 1982, the City of Columbia's Career Awareness Related Experience (C.A.R.E) program has served Columbia’s youth age 14-18 in many important ways.

First, participants develop basic work skills which help them build a good work ethic for future opportunities. Second, young adults have the opportunity to explore a work environment and observe what goes on in a field of their interest. Finally, young adults earn minimum wage and learn the value of a dollar and the importance of setting financial goals. Employment services are available during the school year for young adults enrolled in the Missouri Option Program and in the summer for an eight-week employment program for youth ages 14-18. C.A.R.E. also offers creative young adults the opportunity to work as artists during the summer’s C.A.R.E. gallery experience. Free tutoring services for any youth age 14-18 living in Columbia is available during the school year. For more information, contact the C.A.R.E. office at 573-874-6300.

Funding, including participant wages, is paid by the City of Columbia and administered through the Parks and Recreation Department. Over 230 at-risk or disadvantaged youth were hired last year.

Important Dates
Application/Hiring Process
Tips for the Applicant
Summer Program / Classes
Missouri Option Program

Important Dates

September 20, 2010: Tutoring begins

October 1, 2010: C.A.R.E. Missouri Options employment begins

NOTE CHANGE OF DATE February 1, 2011: Summer program applications are available

January 31, 2011: Employer Recruitment begins

NOTE CHANGE OF DATE February 25, 2011: Last day to turn in Summer applications

March 4 , 2011: Summer Interviews begin

March 31, 2011: Employer Recruitment ends

April 15, 2011: Last day of summer interviews

June 13, 2011: First work day of the summer program

August 5, 2011: Last work day of the summer program

Application/Hiring Process

C.A.R.E. applications are available at local junior high and high school guidance offices, as well as the C.A.R.E. office.

Applications are submitted to students’ respective guidance offices.
Interviews are scheduled by telephone.
Participants are notified by mail.

Tips for the Applicant

Submit a neatly written application.
A parent/guardian MUST SIGN the application.
Applications must be received by March 18, 2011.
Applicants are interviewed on a first come, first serve basis.
Do Not wear jeans to your interview.
Do Not bring friends to your interview.
Do Not bring more than one family member to your interview.

Summer Program

Local employers provide up to 200 jobs for C.A.R.E. youth in a variety of environments such as: office, retail, salon, art studio, daycare, school, and outdoor labor. Trainees work 20 hours per week and earn minimum wage during the eight-week program. Wages and liability coverage are paid by the City of Columbia.

Classes
The C.A.R.E. program offers two classes during the summer program. The participants are selected by the C.A.R.E. Program Director during the hiring process based upon interest, need, or referral.

Men’s Empowerment: Limit of 20 participants.

Women’s Empowerment: Limit 20 participants.

If you are an employer interested in participating in the C.A.R.E. program, contact the C.A.R.E. office at 573-874-6300.

C.A.R.E./Missouri Options Program Collaboration

The Missouri Option program increases Columbia’s graduation rate and reduces the high school truancy rate. Local Missouri Option students MUST BE referred to the C.A.R.E. program for employment and tutoring assistance by their cooperating Missouri Option teacher. Students work up to 20 hours per week and earn minimum wage until they graduate or find their own employment. About 150 high-risk Missouri Option students have graduated with the assistance of the C.A.R.E. program. For more information regarding this alternative path to graduation, contact the C.A.R.E. office at 573-874-6300.