C.A.R.E.

Parks & Recreation
Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs

C.A.R.E. - Career Awareness Related Experience

800 N. Providence Road, Suite 210 until September 15, 2008
New location will be 110 Orr Street, Suite 106
(573) 874-6300

Youth Employment & Education Program

Since 1982, the City of Columbia's Career Awareness Related Experience (C.A.R.E) program has served Columbia’s youth age 14-18 in many important ways. C.A.R.E provides program participants with summer employment opportunities to help them become self-disciplined, productive, and skilled as well as educational opportunities to provide them with practice applying basic skills to real world problems. During the summer, C.A.R.E trainees will work 20 hours a week for 8 weeks on the job with a local private or public sector employer and attend up to 25 hours in an educational setting problem-solving. Trainees are paid minimum wage for attending work/class up to 205 hours.

Important Dates
Application/Hiring Process
Tips for the Applicant
Classes
Program Information
Employers Information

Important Dates

January 7, 2008: C.A.R.E. applications will be available at local schools and the C.A.R.E Office
January 18, 2008: C.A.R.E interviews begin (all at C.A.R.E. Office on Saturdays)
March 21, 2008: Last day to turn in a C.A.R.E application
March 29 , 2008: Last day of C.A.R.E interviews
April 16, 2008: C.A.R.E Trainee participants selected and notified
June 9, 2008: First day of work for youth
August 1, 2008: Last day of work for youth

Application/Hiring Process

Interested Jr. high students should visit with their Home School Communicators to obtain a C.A.R.E application.
Interested high school students should pick up an application from a counselor at their school's Guidance Office.
Applications must be completed accurately and neatly.
Applications can be returned to respective school offices or to the staff at the C.A.R.E office.
Interviews will be scheduled via telephone.
Applicants interested in participating in the C.A.R.E Gallery will be required to attend two interviews prior to selection.
Applicants will be notified of their employment status by mail.

Tips for the Applicant

Turn in a neatly written or typed application.
Make sure a parent/guardian has signed the application.
Turn in the application on or before April 2, 2007...the earlier, the better.
Be on time to your interview but not too early!
Wear appropriate clothing.
Prepare for your interview: practice answering questions, make eye contact, and speak clearly.
Avoid bringing friends to your interview.
Avoid bringing more than one member of your family with you to your interview as we have a limited amount of office space.
Have a "can do" attitude; over 300 young people apply for about 170 positions.
Have an idea of what kind of job you would like to have and be able to explain why you would be good at it.

Classes

Note: In addition to working 20 hours per week, C.A.R.E trainees may attend one, three-hour class per week. The following list details our new classes. Trainees select the class that most interest them. Participants are paid minimum wage for the hours they attend.

Program Information

The C.A.R.E. Program is funded by the City of Columbia and administered through the Parks & Recreation Department. The Program is scheduled to serve 140 at-risk, disadvantaged participants.

Employer's Information

Local employers provide about 200 jobs for C.A.R.E. youth in a variety of different professions such as office/clerical, retail, salons, theater, art, auto detailing, indoor labor, food/desserts, healthcare, daycares/schools/adultcare, and outdoor labor/recreation.

Employers provide meaningful work experiences for Columbia's C.A.R.E. participants. Trainees work 20 hours per week and earn minimum wage during the eight-week program. Wages are paid by the City of Columbia.

Providing opportunities to work and learn is one important way Columbia helps young people make informed, healthy life choices. The C.A.R.E. Staff and Parks & Recreation Department are grateful to all CARE employers for the giving of their time, knowledge and experience.

If you are an employer interested in participating in the C.A.R.E. program, contact the CARE Office at 573-874-6300.