On the job

Irma Lemus

BURBANK -- It happens every year. As students scramble to find summer

jobs, they are often unaware of many of the opportunities available.

That’s where Vida Wolfe comes in. Wolfe, Burbank Outreach Center’s

youth employment coordinator, said it’s her job to let students know

what’s out there.

The center, founded in 1991, works with about 300 14- to 22-year-old

students each year, placing them in city offices and local business. Some

students also get jobs building trails in the Verdugo Mountains.

The outreach center is placing students in four programs, including

one for students who have been referred due to truancy or excessive

absenteeism.

“These kids go from being truants to taxpayers,” Wolfe said.

The outreach center is funded by the city of Burbank and works with

the Burbank Unified School District, the Burbank Chamber of Commerce and

local business leaders to place the students in a variety of summer jobs.

“By working with the youth, we are preparing the future work force,”

Wolfe said.

Gracie De La Pena, assistant coordinator of the program, said students

also receive training in resume writing, interview skills and other

job-related skills.

“It’s amazing to see the difference from when they first walk in to

when they leave,” she said.

Burbank Outreach Center job programs

Burbank Employment and Student Training Program (BEST)

* Open to students 14 to 21 years old.

* Seven-week program includes 10 hours of pre-employment training.

* Places students in local businesses.

City Resources Employing Students Today (CREST)

* Program is run fall, spring and summer and is open to students 14 to

21 years old.

* Students must be referred to center by school.

* Fifteen-week program places students in city offices and provides

pre-employment training.

Summer Trails

* Open to students 14 and 15 years old. Targeted for students looking

for their first job.

* Students in the six-week summer program build trails in Wildwood

Canyon Park.

Painters Assistants

* Started in September, offers 18- to 22-year-old students full-time

jobs with the city’s Public Works Department paint crew.

* Students work for 18 months.

For information, call the Burbank Outreach Center at 238-5306.