Central Arkansas’s youth employment initiatives aim to keep children out of trouble

Little Rock, Arkansas – In the upcoming weeks, schools will be out of session, and some Central Arkansas child job programs have already begun for the summer. A few of the solutions will assist occupy youngsters and may even help lower juvenile delinquency.

“The summer months always bring just more time on the hands of our youth,” said Casey Beard, the 6th Judicial District Juvenile Division Chief.

This may occasionally cause someone to participate in crimes they wouldn’t typically do.

“I would definitely say property crimes increase,” Beard added.

She added that the LRPD reported 52 instances in June 2023 in which minors were accused of committing crimes. In July 2023, the total number of incident reports increased to 68.

According to Beard, she hopes to see less people this summer, and keeping them occupied would help.

“If you work all day, and you’re doing anything in a program like that you’re using so many mental skills, you’re using physical skills, you’re tired at the end of the day. And you are actually less likely to go home and want to be in the community or out in the streets at that time,” she described.

In June, the City of Little Rock will launch its summer youth employment program.

“Summertime is a great time to kind of teach young people or our next generation workforce, some meaningful work skills. At the same time, they’re given the opportunity to earn money,” said Michael Sanders, the Assistant Director of Community Program for Little Rock.

Beginning the first week of June and lasting through the end of July is the program.

Sanders indicated that youths between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one will be assigned to local universities, small enterprises, and civic departments.

The Village Place, a Little Rock non-profit that provides work for youths aged 12 to 18, is another resource available to children.

“They receive a lot of benefits and opportunities to develop alongside people that love and care about them,” said Billie Woods, the Village Place Executive Director.

Jayson Williams, a student, expressed his excitement about returning for his second year.

“The people I get to meet, the connections I’ve made, the friendships that I’ve gotten to is just to have something to do in the summer. Just have fun,” Williams said.

Young people can no longer apply to the city, but firms who need staff for the summer can still do so.

A career employment fair for individuals aged 15 to 25 is also being held by the city on June 13 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please contact Jacque Eaves at jeaves@littlerock.gov or (501) 539-1945 if you would like to attend.