Altus AFB Youth Center "Youth Employment Skills Program"

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  High school students on Altus Air Force Base have an opportunity to earn grant money for college while contributing to the local community.

The Youth Employment Skills program at the youth center on Altus AFB is an on-base volunteer program for high school students. The program, underwritten by the Air Force Aid Society, is a joint effort between AFAS and Air Force Services. Students 'bank' $4 of grant money for each hour they work, to a maximum of 250 hours ($1000). Students must bank a minimum of $100 before they can access any funds.

"I think it's a great program! This volunteer program enables our youth by empowering them with basic skills in the area in which they are interested in and helps them earn money for college. Our center enjoys having youth volunteers assisting with the day-to-day operations; they are an asset to us indeed!" said Rosario Rosalez, Open Recreation Specialist at the Altus AFB youth center.

Participating bases benefit from the students' efforts financially as well; for each hour teens work, the base is credited with $2. "Well that's an added bonus of course! Our youth benefit from that money because it goes right back into programming and activities for them," said Rosalez.

Students can access this money with a student disbursement form, a copy of high school diploma or GED, and an outstanding bill/invoice from a post-secondary program. High school graduates can only use the finances for tuition, books, fees, and other direct educational needs. Students have to enroll within 1 year of graduating high school to use the funds they have earned.

Student volunteers are interviewed for positions as coordinated by the Youth Director and base agencies appropriate for the YES program. AFAS headquarters and the youth director coordinate to determine appropriate positions where students may volunteer. Volunteer positions cannot include the thrift store, cashier positions, chapel positions, base retail operations, waitressing, school program, or any Red Cross position.

"I work for the youth center in the snack bar," said Daisha Gaines, who learned about the opportunity from a friend that worked at the gym through the Youth Employment Skills program. "I have learned responsibility, time management since I work and go to school, and hospitality."

Both parents and students must be involved in the decisions and process; both must sign a written agreement stating the student is a base volunteer, not a paid employee, not using hours to gain credit for another organization or group and not otherwise ineligible to participate in the program.

"I think it is an excellent program for her, not only for work experience but also for college," said DaShauna Cheek, Daisha's mother.

"Fashion design and merchandising at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York," said Daisha, when asked what her plans are.

For more information on the YES program, call the youth center at 481-7903 or visit http://altusfss.com/youth-family/youth-center/.