Youth Programs

Every year since 2006, the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce has placed Middletown students into constructive summer employment through the Middletown Summer Youth Employment Program. The chamber has the capacity, through our dynamic membership, to place these youngsters into employment in a wide variety of professional fields for six weeks in the summer months  working 20 hours per week.  Six weeks might not seem like a long time, but it provides a solid foundation and a great glimpse into what life in the workforce is like.

Program applicants are put through a comprehensive pre-employment screening process which takes into account their hobbies, interests, work experience, future plans, comfort level on the computer and on the phone and other important factors such as transportation and availability in the summer months.

Our host sites come from the public sector, the non-profit sector, and most notably the private sector.  This program teaches our young people not only the fundamentals of employment, such as getting to work on time and ready to contribute, but also the pride that comes with putting in a solid work week and receiving a paycheck that was earned through hard and honest work.

For students to be eligible for employment through this program, proof must be provided that he or she is either enrolled in the free or reduced meals program at a local public school, or prove that their total family income falls within 185% of the poverty level in the State of Connecticut.  Official household income documentation or proof of free or reduced lunch from a licensed school official is required when the application is submitted.

Any questions or concerns regarding the Middletown Summer Youth Employment Program can be directed to Lorenzo Marshall at 860-347-6924 or lorenzo@middlesexchamber.com.