Applications now available for the 2026 GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Applications are now available for the City’s GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program. Teens and young adults may apply for employment through May 8 to earn money while gaining and enhancing workplace skills.
Participants, ages 15 to 24, will earn $15 an hour – a $2 an hour increase from 2025. They will work 20 hours a week for six weeks on top of receiving pay for orientation as well as a pre-program job shadow experience. The work week also includes paid professional development workshops every Friday.
“Over the last six summers, we have not only employed nearly 1,400 young people, but we also know through survey data that young people are learning transferable skills like responsibility, communication and teamwork – all essential to thrive in today’s job market. The GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program is not only a resume-builder, but our hope is that it also supports educational goals and prepares participants for their future dream job,” City Manager Mark Washington said.
Youth will work the six-week program from Monday, June 8 to Friday, July 17.
“As a GRow1000 intern, I had the chance to work both with Cascade Engineering and Steelcase the summers right before and after my freshman year of college,” said former GRower Preston M. “Having these opportunities so early on in my college career helped fill out my resume and made me a more qualified candidate for more opportunities down the line. These experiences with GRow1000 taught me what it was like to work in professional offices and showed a wide array of different fields that one organization can encompass.”
Program participants must meet the following basic requirements:
- Be 15 to 24-years-old as of June 8, 2026
- Live in the city of Grand Rapids
- Be eligible to work in the U.S.
Youth may apply for the GRow1000 program HERE. Bus passes will be available upon request.
Our Community’s Children – a public/private partnership between the City, Grand Rapids Public Schools and community partners – will manage the day-to-day operations of program.
Businesses and organizations can take part in one of two ways:
Provide paid job or internship experiences. The amount per youth placement is $2,200. Businesses can register HERE. Nonprofits with 10 full-time employees or fewer can provide a paid job or internship experience at $1,100 per youth placement.
Provide financial contributions to support placement of youth at local nonprofit organizations. Individuals are also welcome to donate any amount. To donate, CLICK HERE then click “Pay as Guest” and look for the GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program in the drop down menu.
Youth applications and business registrations are due by Friday, May 8.
Support for business partners include:
- Employer training and orientation at Grand Rapids City Hall
- Job shadow opportunities prior to the first day of work
- GRowcases that provide meet and greet opportunities with youth employees
- Opportunities to interview participants during the application process
- Full-time program coordinator support and on-site visits by Our Community’s Children staff and partnering organizations
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