Erie County Bright Futures Summer Jobs Program

The Issue

Summer employment programs have become critical pipelines to engage youth and put them on a path for career longevity or further education.

Our Impact

Every summer, 150 youth work at more than 50 businesses and non-profit organizations to learn critical employment skills. A first job often means so much more than a paycheck. It can mean a connection to a lifelong mentor, the ability to envision a career path, a boost in self-confidence, and an appreciation for the value of career education. Most importantly, it helps young people begin to see new possibilities for their future and their own potential.

Overview

The Bright Futures Summer Jobs Program connects Erie County youth with meaningful summer employment opportunities designed to build skills, confidence, and career readiness. Through paid work experiences, participants gain real-world exposure while contributing to local employers.

This program is a collaborative effort among the Erie County Government, the Erie County Gaming and Revenue Authority, and GECAC.

The Bright Futures Summer Jobs Program is focused on:

Providing youth with paid, meaningful work experience
Building job readiness and workplace skills
Connecting young people to employers across Erie County
Supporting long-term career and educational pathways
Strengthening the local workforce pipeline

Youth Participants

Must be a resident of Erie County
Ages 14-21
Be legally eligible to work in the United States
Demonstrate interest in gaining work experience and developing job skills
Salary is $12.50 per hour (180 hours total)
Youth are matched with employers based on employer specifications, geographic proximity, and the youth's ability to provide reliable transportation.
The program will run from June to August (Exact work dates will depend on the date of placement with an employer)

Employers

Local employers play a critical role in the success of this program by providing summer job placements and mentorship opportunities.

Participating employers receive:

Support with recruitment and placement
Assistance with onboarding youth workers
Ongoing program coordination and support
Workers ages 14-17 with little or no job experience - GECAC will pay full salary
Workers ages 16-21 with previous job experience - employers may be asked to contribute $5 per hour to help offset the cost of participant wages

Employers are encouraged to offer positions that provide skill-building, supervision, and meaningful work experience.

How to Get Involved

Youth Participants

Youth interested in applying are encouraged to apply early, as placements are made on a rolling basis. Please complete the interest form below to receive the full application.