Chautauqua Works Youth Employment Program (YEP) is gearing up for 2024.

The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has provided local workforce development areas funding to establish a Youth Employment Program (YEP).  YEP is an important platform which is intended to help reduce community gun violence and youth criminal justice involvement by providing year-round employment opportunities.  These funds will support the establishment of a program which includes employment, education and/or career exploration opportunities for TANF-eligible youth from low-income households.  This funding is further intended to support employment programs for youth at risk of gun violence as part of a statewide gun-violence reduction intervention model.

Chautauqua Works will connect eligible Chautauqua County youth ages 14-20 with entry-level jobs in a variety of industries, including government agencies, hospitals, camps, non-profits, small businesses, museums and retail organizations for a duration of 12 weeks.  At the conclusion of the 12 weeks, the employer will have the option to hire the youth, the youth may secure their own employment, or staff will assist with job search or career exploration activities. 

To be eligible for the Youth Employment Program, youth must:

• Reside in Chautauqua County
• Be between 14-20 years of age
• Meet income eligibility guidelines listed below:

You are eligible if your family receives Medicaid, SNAP Benefits, Family Assistance, SSI or HEAP.

If not, the annual household income must be at or below:

                                HOUSEHOLD SIZE                   YEARLY INCOME:

                                        1                                              $29,160

                                        2                                                39,440

                                        3                                                49,720

                                        4                                                60,000

                                        5                                                70,280

                                        6                                                80,560

                                        7                                                90,840

                                        8                                               101,120

For family units with more than eight members add $10,280 annually for each additional family member.

To apply for the Youth Employment Program:

• Pick up an Eligibility Packet at either one of the Chautauqua Works locations at:

4 E. 3^rd Street                     OR                          407 Central Avenue

Jamestown, NY 14701                                     Dunkirk, NY  14048

• Call the Chautauqua Works office at 716-661-9553 and request an Eligibility Packet.

• Click here to download an Eligibility Packet.

The individual will be asked to return the completed Eligibility Packet back to Chautauqua Works.  Eligibility packets will be available January 1, 2024.  Completed Eligibility Packets will be reviewed for eligibility in the Youth Employment Program.  You will be notified if you qualify for enrollment into the program.

“Chautauqua Works looks forward to conducting this program, which is similar to our Summer Youth Employment Program”, states Kathleen Geise, Executive Director, “and looks forward to working with and helping the Youth of Chautauqua County build their work readiness skills and obtain and retain employment”.

For additional information, please contact Sophia Simons or Megan Hall at (716) 487-5193.

As of Monday, July 26, 2021, Chautauqua Works Jamestown Office is open to the public.  No appointment will be necessary to access general job search access in our resource room.  However, all one-to-one staff services will continue to require an appointment.  All services in our Dunkirk office will continue to be offered by appointment only due to staffing limitations until further notice.

Face coverings will be required for everyone at this time.  Prior to entering the building, a COVID questionnaire will be conducted with you. 

Please be advised that we cannot assist with UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE in this office.  All UI questions MUST be directed to:  1 (888) 209-8124 or https://dol.ny.gov/unemployment-insurance 

Report UI Fraud - UI Fraud Hotline 1 (888) 598-2077 or https://dol.ny.gov/report-fraud

The Jamestown area has been approved for funding under the Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVP) awarded by the New York State Department of Labor.  New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is partnering with Chautauqua Works to provide job training, credentialing and placement in good paying jobs to young workers who reside in the Jamestown Zip Code area 14701, which has been impacted by high rates of gun violence.

This effort is a first-in-the-nation gun violence disaster emergency and comprehensive strategy to build a safer New York.  This initiative treats gun violence as a public health crisis and includes short-term solutions as well as long-term strategies that focus on community-based intervention and prevention strategies to break the cycle of violence.

To be eligible for this program, the participant must be

• Out of School
• Between the ages of 18 and 24
• Residing in 14701 Zip Code

Chautauqua Works Staff will complete an Initial Assessment and Individual Service Strategy at an in-person meeting.  The following workforce preparation services will be available and provided as needed:  Workplace culture and expectations, Application completion, Resume preparation and how to review/talk about/describe a resume, Interview preparation and mock interviews, Job Search assistance, Labor Market Information sharing and explaining, Training options exploration, Career exploration and guidance, Training Provider information sharing, Assistance with employment and training provider application processes.

Based on their individual needs, the participant may potentially be placed in a paid Work Experience with a local participating employer.  The goal, at the end of the paid Work Experience, is that the participant has the potential to turn their experience into a job opportunity and the employer has the opportunity to hire the participant as part of their workforce.  It is a win-win situation for everyone.

“We plan to work with all of our partners on all aspects of this program to ensure that as many potential participants can access these services and are provided the highest quality and most impactful experience resulting in positive outcomes.”  states Katie Geise, Executive Director.

If you are eligible for this program, or know of anyone who may be eligible, please contact Rachel Barto, Specialized Employment Coach at Chautauqua Works.