GRow1000 was launched the summer of 2020 in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing racial and economic disparities. City Manager Mark Washington called on business and community leaders to help mitigate these effects by employing 1,000 young people during the summer. Over the last five summers, the GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program has employed 1,150 youth in meaningful jobs at unique job sites at area businesses, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions and government.
This summer young people ages 15 to 24 will have the opportunity to explore a career and obtain valuable work experience while earning money. Pay for all work assignments will be $13.00/per hour.
The first day employees will report to work is Monday, June 9th. The last day employees will report to work is Friday, July 18th. Program participants will be matched with employers for a 6-week, 120-hour, paid work experience. Through this experience, area businesses and organizations will introduce youth to real-world work environments and create pathways to future careers.
The GRow1000 Youth Application for Summer 2025 has been extended until Monday, May 5th at 5:00 p.m. for any additional applications.All GRow1000 Applicant Onboarding Documents will continue to be due Friday, May 9th by 5:00 p.m. to the City of Grand Rapids - Human Resources Dept.
Complete GRow1000 Youth Application
IMPORTANT
• Current GRow1000 Youth Applicants must complete and submit ALL GRow1000 2025 Youth Applicant Onboarding Documents & Materials accessed through their NEOGOV Applicant Portal Dashboard by Friday, May 9th by 5:00 p.m. to be eligible to participate in GRow1000 for Summer 2025.
• Please refer to the applicant email account used to apply to GRow1000 2025 for follow-up communication and instructions to activate your NEOGOV Applicant Portal Dashboard and submit the required Onboarding Documents to the City of Grand Rapids – Human Resources.
• For any additional questions related to your application or required Onboarding Document submissions, please refer to the Youth Applicant FAQ’s or contact City of Grand Rapids – Human Resources Dept. at jobs@grcity.us or 616.456.3176.
Program Highlights
The GRow1000 Program will continue to institute a series of weekly training seminars each Friday throughout the length of the program called GRow Further Fridays. Each session is designed to teach youth participants professional development topics such as Dressing for Success, Public Speaking and Financial Literacy.
In addition to the GRow Further Friday professional development sessions, other new implementations will include:
- Easy, two-step weekly timesheet submissions for both employees and employers.
- On-site visits by Our Community’s Children staff.
- Electronic GRower & Worksite Supervisor feedback forms.
- Collaborative GRow1000 End of Program Celebration.
- And much more..
Youth Applicant GRowcase Opportunities
Our Community's Children staff, along with participating GRow1000 worksites, will also host a Meet-and-Greet style showcase. These events allowing youth applicants to learn more about potential worksites and work assignments during the program. The first GRowcase session on Monday, April 14th will also provide opportunities to ask questions regarding their application or onboarding paperwork.
This session will be located in the City Commission Chambers at Grand Rapids City Hall on the following dates:
- Monday, April 14th – 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Monday, April 28th – 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Pre-Employment Orientation Training Sessions - Invited Applicants Only
All GRow1000 Participants must attend 1 of the following Pre-Employment Orientation Training Session dates:
- Monday, May 19th – 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (City Commission Chambers)
- Tuesday, May 20th – 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (Multi-purpose Rm. 143)
- Wednesday, May 21st – 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (Multi-purpose Rm. 143)
Orientation sessions are by invite only. Participants will receive an email inviting them to attend their assigned orientation date. Call Our Community's Children at (616) 456-3102 if you have not received an email about orientation by Friday, May 16th.
Donations
As we plan for another summer of prosperity where our GRowers can earn a competitive wage, learn skills foundational for success, and serve as a premier youth talent pool for employers; your financial contribution is critical.
Consider supporting the GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program in the following ways:
- Donate any amount to defray program costs and/or wages. Program costs include bus passes, a mentoring program component, and the facilitation of professional development workshops for youth and business partners.
- Sponsor youth placed at a local nonprofit that can provide a job opportunity but cannot afford to cover wages. The cost per youth placement is $1,600.
Checks can be made payable to the City of Grand Rapids, Attn: Our Community’s Children, 245 State Street SE; Grand Rapids, MI 49503. To make a donation by credit card via the City of Grand Rapids’ payment system, please contact Shannon L. Harris, Executive Director, at 616.456.3558 or sharris@grcity.us and indicate the amount of the donation and a link will be sent to initiate your transaction.
Past GRow1000 Worksites
- 61st District Court (180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Autocam Medical (4152 East Paris Ave SE, Kentwood, MI 49512)
- Baxter Neighborhood Association (704 Eastern Avenue SE, Suite B, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Brookelyn's Thrifty Threads (2890 Madison Ave SE, Wyoming, MI 49316)
- Brown's Funeral Home (627 Jefferson Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Butterball Farms, Inc. (1435 Buchanan Ave. SW, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49507)
- Cascade Engineering (5175 36th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512)
- City of Grand Rapids - Assessor’s Office (300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- City of Grand Rapids - Environmental Services Dept. (1300 Market Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- City of Grand Rapids - Clerk's Office (300 Monroe NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49315)
- City of Grand Rapids - Community Development (300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- City of Grand Rapids - Development Center (1120 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- City of Grand Rapids - Facilities Dept. (333 Market Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- City of Grand Rapids - OPA Office (300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- City of Grand Rapids - Our Community's Children (245 State St. SE - 2nd Floor, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- City of Grand Rapids - Parks and Recreation (245 State Street SE -Martin Luther King Park, Garfield Park, Roosevelt Park-, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- City of Grand Rapids - Public Works (509 Wealthy St. 2nd Floor SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- City of Grand Rapids - Special Events (1 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- City of Grand Rapids - Water Dept. (1900 Oak Industrial Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505)
- City of Grand Rapids - Human Resources Dept. (300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- City of Rest GR (510 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507)
- Corewell Health (100 Michigan St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503)
- Creston Neighborhood Association (205 Carrier St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505)
- Dewpoint IT Services (300 Monroe NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. -Block by Block Contract- (331 Winter Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504)
- First Tee West Michigan (2776 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507)
- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (1000 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525)
- Girls Choral Academy (26 Antoine St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49507)
- Grand Rapids Children's Museum (11 Sheldon Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49504)
- Grand Rapids Housing Commission (1080 Creston Plaza Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Grand Rapids Public Library (111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities (644 Grandville Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Heartside Gleaning -Fulton Street Farmers Market- (1145 Fulton St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Hope Gain Network (2130 Enterprise SE Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI 49508)
- In The Image (4255 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508)
- KConnect (401 Hall St. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Marvelous Lifestyles Outreach (5255 Eastern Ave SE, Kentwood, MI 49508)
- Mobile GR (50 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- NIA Centre (300 Commerce Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Oakdale Neighbors (1260 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507)
- Public Thread (446 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Puertas Abiertas (1345 Monroe Ave NW, Suite 208, Grand Rapids, MI 49505)
- STEM Greenhouse @ Aquinas College (1607 Robinson Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506)
- The PLAYGROUNDgr (608 Coit NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- West Grand Neighborhood Organization (754 Leonard NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504)
- YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids (5500 Burton SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546)
- Young Money Finances (1413 Madison SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507)
- Windquest Group, Inc. (201 Monroe Ave NW #500, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503)
... And many more to come!