This summer, more than 80 local youth gained hands-on work experience through Catalyst Life Services’ 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program. The program drew strong interest from across Richland County, with 164 youth submitting applications for the opportunity to participate.
In partnership with Richland County Job and Family Services and the Richland County Youth and Family Council, Catalyst connected participants with more than 60 local businesses and organizations throughout Richland County. Youth gained exposure to a wide variety of industries, including food service, grounds maintenance, pet care, childcare, screen printing and embroidery, thrift and retail operations, barber shops, auto detailing, ice cream shops and more.
Each worksite opened its doors to provide meaningful, real-world experience while helping youth build confidence, strengthen workplace skills and develop habits that will prepare them for future employment.
“We had a great program this year and an incredible group of kids,” said Stephanie Jakubick, assistant director of vocational services at Catalyst Life Services. “This year, our participants came ready to work and excited for the opportunity. Watching them grow throughout the summer and building strong relationships with their employers was incredibly rewarding. We’re extremely proud of how far this group has come and everything they have accomplished.”
Among this year’s participating worksites were Little Blessings, owned by Mona Williams, and The Weekend Club House, owned by her daughter, Monique Yelton. Both childcare programs gave youth the chance to learn what it takes to work in an environment that requires responsibility, patience, teamwork and dependability.
At Little Blessings, youth assisted in the classroom, helped with cleaning, assisted with cooking, and gained experience with basic childcare duties. Youth working at The Weekend Club House also helped care for children, assisted with meal preparation, and strengthened soft skills that can carry over into future employment opportunities.
Williams and Yelton said the Summer Youth Employment Program provides their businesses with additional support while giving young people experience in a real workplace. Throughout the summer, they focused on teaching responsibility, accountability, communication, teamwork and professionalism. Participants learned the importance of arriving on time, following directions, completing tasks correctly, asking for help when needed and taking responsibility for their work.
For Williams and Yelton, one of the most rewarding parts of participating in the program is watching youth grow throughout the summer. They also value the opportunity for their staff to serve as mentors and help young people understand how their attitude, work ethic and interactions with others can contribute to future success.
One of those young people was JoJo Butler, who spent his summer working at The Weekend Club House. Butler had perfect attendance throughout his work experience, never missing a scheduled day. He said one of his favorite parts of the summer was building relationships with the children, playing basketball with them, and making memories along the way. The program also gave Butler the chance to earn his own money while learning what it means to be a dependable employee.
Another Summer Youth participant, Brooks Smith, spent his summer working at Ohio Pet Depot, where he gained hands-on experience caring for animals while learning the responsibilities that come with being part of a workplace. His duties included cleaning cages and tanks, assisting with animals, and helping customers.
Smith said the Summer Youth Employment Program allowed him to have fun, meet new people, make friends and earn his own money while gaining work experience. He especially enjoyed working with the animals and getting to know the people at Ohio Pet Depot. Throughout the summer, Smith said the experience helped him become more outgoing and comfortable interacting with others.
The job also helped Smith become more responsible by giving him a regular schedule and expectations to meet each day. He credited Ohio Pet Depot owner Drew Jefferies with making the experience especially positive, sharing that Jefferies treated him well and consistently went out of his way to support Smith and the other youth working at the business.
Jefferies said one of the things he enjoyed most about working with the Summer Youth Employment Program was having the opportunity to teach young people skills they can carry with them long after the summer ends.
“Our youth learned skills in various categories, from animal husbandry and care, to cleaning, to customer service and everything in between,” Jefferies said.
He also said the program provides a meaningful benefit to Ohio Pet Depot by giving the business additional help with the many responsibilities involved in operating a pet store.
“The program benefits our business tremendously,” Jefferies said. “It’s a lot of work to operate a pet store, and with the help of our youth, it becomes a much easier process. Many hands make light work.”
For Smith, the summer became about more than earning a paycheck. It gave him the chance to build relationships, become more independent and develop skills he can take with him into his next job.
In addition to their individual worksite experiences, Summer Youth participants had opportunities to gain skills and credentials that can benefit them in future employment. Catalyst Life Services partnered with Madison Adult Career Center to provide on-site CPR and First Aid training for participating youth. Those who successfully completed the training earned CPR and First Aid certification, adding another skill to the experience they gained throughout the summer.
The success of our Summer Youth Employment Program would not be possible without the commitment of our local businesses and community organizations,” Jakubick said. “These employers do much more than provide a place for youth to work. They serve as mentors, and help young people understand what it means to be part of a team and a workplace. We are incredibly grateful for the time, support and investment they make in our youth and our community.”
Catalyst Life Services also works with youth throughout the year through its WIOA Youth Program, providing employment and career-related services to eligible youth ages 16 to 24. Youth interested in learning more about the program can contact Bob Nelson at 419-774-2200 or complete an online referral form through Catalyst Life Services WIOA Referral Form – Catalyst Life Services.
Local businesses interested in becoming a worksite partner, whether through the Summer Youth Employment Program or year-round WIOA Youth employment opportunities, can contact Bennett Browning at 419-774-2238.
Photo gallery courtesy of Catalyst Life Services
