By Amanda Amsel
Staff Writer
Residents of Prairie Township will see some new faces on the roads and in the office this summer.
The trustees approved moving forward with the township’s 2015 Summer Youth Program. Setting aside $9,400 for the program, the township will employee 10 high school students from June 17 to August 11.
“This is the 13th year we have had this program and it continues to be a success,” said Tracy Hatmaker, township administrator.
Working outdoors and indoors, the students will be doing a variety of tasks. In the past they have done everything from painting house numbers on curbs to data entry.
“We really do this to benefit the students,” Hatmaker said. “We don’t do this to get cheap labor. They learn a great deal from their time with us.”
The only requirements to participate in the program are that students must be between 14 and 18 years old and be a Prairie Township resident. A majority of the students who participate in the program attend Westland High School.
Students will be paid $8.10 an hour and work a half a day a few days a week.
“Because we have done this program for so long teachers and guidance counselors help us spread the word and we already have a lot of students who are interested,” Hatmaker said.
“Kids see this as a great opportunity to gain real life work experience and earn a little money this summer.”
In past years, students have even asked their bosses at the township to write letters of recommendation for their college applications.
“This is the perfect opportunity to start to learn how to hold a job,” Hatmaker said. “We encourage everyone who is interested to apply.”
Students are hired on a first come first serve basis and can apply at Prairie Township Administration Office, 23 Maple Drive. They can also request an application online at www.prairietownship.org.
