What is Somerville's Pocket Change Program?  
 
The Pocket Change program helps set youth ages 18-24 on the road to long-term employment. 
 
Through a combination of soft-skills and hard-skills training, intensive case management and micro-level jobs, participants gain valuable workplace skills that help them obtain long-term employment. 
 
  
http://www.somervillema.gov/news/city-jobs-program-young-adults-has-new-partner-site  
 
Here’s how it works: interested candidates begin with an intake session in which a career coach will discuss educational background, job history, career interests with you. Candidates then move through a series of career readiness workshops, including job interview skills, conflict resolution in the workforce, and tips for using social media to land a job. At the same time, candidates earn a little bit of “Pocket Change” by working a few micro-level jobs. These jobs help to connect young adults with local employers and gain valuable on-the-job workforce skills.  
 
That’s where Help Around Town comes in. Help Around Town is a site that connects job seekers with microlevel job opportunities. Households, businesses and non-profits are encouraged to post one-time, part-time and full-time jobs on HelpAroundTown.com to recruit Pocket Change participants directly.  
 
Once Pocket Change participants move beyond the soft-skill training and microlevel job phase, they become eligible for training such as CDL (Commercial Driver’s Licensure), server/ bartending training, etc. Ultimately, career coaches will work with all Pocket Change participants to find permanent, full-time employment. It’s a win-win! Employers gain trained employees, and young adults land local jobs (including free training). 
 
To Sign Up as a Worker or Employer, contact: Jorge Colon at 617-776-5931 x232, or email: jcolon@somervillecdc.org 
http://somervillecdc.org/pocket-change 
 
  
 
Simply register to post a job and set up a profile on HelpAroundTown.com. For step by step instructions and benefits to employers, see 
https://unionsquaremain.org/2014/06/city-launches-micro-job-program-to-support-local-youth/  
 
The Pocket Change Program was mentioned in Mayor Curtatone's State of the City Address on 1/19/15