The GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program is now accepting Business Partner Registrations to host GRow1000 Youth Employees for Summer 2026!
What do I need to consider when placing a person age 15-24 in my workplace?
All worksites must abide by the Michigan work requirements. A person under 18 years of age cannot be employed in, about, or in connection with an occupation that is hazardous or injurious to the minor’s health. Don’t let that stop you from accepting placement of youth under 18. Young people are resourceful and have a lot to offer.
They can research, update social media platforms, file, answer phones, provide good customer service, inventory, attend meetings, document testing methods, compile information, generate new ideas for design development, sell, test prototypes, market, interview other staff throughout the organization and explore career opportunities. The benefit to your organization is the opportunity to engage young adults and support the diversity of our workforce pipeline. The goal is to help youth expand their horizons, improve job readiness skills, develop relationships with professional contacts and explore new career opportunities. These positions can be in-person, virtual or a hybrid.
What should our business partners consider before agreeing to place a youth worker?
Although providing 6-week meaningful and rewarding workplace experiences are part of the goals of GRow1000, the health (physical, mental, and emotional) of our youth are paramount. In order to create these successful workplace opportunities for participating youth and businesses, OCC staff encourage all GRow1000 worksite supervisors to utilize the following items:
- GRow1000 Workplace Cultural Assessment (Completed at time of program registration)
- GRow1000 Worksite Supervisor Pre-program Training Sessions held on
Monday, May 4th - 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Friday, May 8th - 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Both GRow1000 Worksite Supervisor Training Sessions will be held at the Grand Rapids City Commission Chambers - 9th Floor (300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503). Any and all GRow1000 supervisors must attend one training session.
- The Worksite Supervisor Orientation for staff supporting GRowers held on Friday, May 29, 2026 currently scheduled from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at the Grand Rapids City Hall Commission Chambers - 9th Floor (300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- GRow1000 Participating Business/Organization ROI Statement (Submitted after program is complete)
For any additional questions related to participating as a host worksite during GRow1000, please contact OCC Program Coordinator Zachary Laraway at zlaraway@grcity.us.
Will my participating organization or business have an opportunity to meet with youth applicants prior to the start of GRow1000 to share information about potential job assignments and locations?
Yes - Our Community's Children staff, along with participating GRow1000 business partners, and Management Business Solutions will host two Meet-and-Greet style "GRowcase" events (1 in-person and 1 virtual session) allowing youth participants to learn more about potential worksites and work assignments during the program.
- In-Person Session: Wednesday, April 8th at Grand Rapids City Hall Commission Chambers - 9th Floor from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Virtual Session: Wednesday, April 15th from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (Link will be sent prior to online event)
GRow1000 Job Shadow Day – Paid for GRowers during Summer 2026!
Beginning this summer, all participating GRow1000 worksite supervisors will be required to invite their matched GRowers to attend a Job Shadow Day prior to the 1st day of work on Monday, June 8th.
The Job Shadow Day should be designed and scheduled by the GRow1000 worksite supervisors to provide an initial opportunity to meet with their matched youth employees in-person at their anticipated workplace settings to cover initial employment details, expectations, review roles and responsibilities of the GRower’s supervisor, and questions unique to their jobs/work environments.
*NEW: GRowers will be compensated for up to 3 hours of paid time while attending their required Job Shadow Day experience. Job Shadow Day opportunities should be scheduled by the worksite supervisor the week prior to the 1st day of work and occur between Monday, June 1st – Saturday, June 6th.
Who is responsible for paying for the wages?
Also starting this summer, all registered worksites will be invoiced at the following flat rates "per youth participant" over 6 weeks:
- For-Profit Businesses & Non-Profit Organizations with 11+ Full Time Employees - $2,200 per youth participant
-OR-
- Non-Profit Organizations with 10 or fewer Full Time Employees - $1,100 per youth participant
This year, the City of Grand Rapids and Our Community’s Children has partnered with Management Business Solutions (MBS), a local staffing agency, to provide direct administrative support for the GRow1000 SYEP. MBS will be responsible for hosting the youth application on their website, collecting and verifying necessary application documents, provide interview support to Our Community’s Children and its partners, and processing GRower paychecks during the 6-week employment experience.
Our Community’s Children, a public-private partnership between the City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Schools, and community partners will continue to manage all other aspects of the GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program.
How many hours are we expected to provide? Can youth work more than 20 hours in one week?
Youth will work a total of 120 hours during 6-weeks of employment. Work schedules can be negotiated between you and your youth worker and can include evenings and weekends as in compliance with the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth Youth Employment standards for minors. Youth under the age of 18 must have a work permit and you must abide by all rules and regulations indicated. On average, youth will work 17 hours on-site and participate in three hours of paid professional development at city hall or other locations weekly. However, if fewer hours were worked in a particular week, you may schedule more hours the week after in order to make up for the lost hours.
Note: GRowers will also get paid for one (1) OCC-facilitated, pre-employment orientation as well as a pre-employment job shadow day for up to 3 hours.
Will I need to have my youth worker fill out a timesheet?
Yes – Management Business Solutions will provide direct links to timesheets during GRow1000 and will work with worksite supervisors to verify their weekly paid hours. It is the direct GRow1000 Supervisor’s responsibility to ensure the youth worker correctly completes the timesheet weekly.
- Timesheets are due on completion of the last day of work each week, but no later than Friday at 5 p.m.
- Late timesheets will result in pay being delayed for your GRow1000 employee until the next pay period.
- Instructions for processing timesheets will be covered for both youth employees and worksite supervisors prior to the 1st day of work.
Youth will only be paid for the number of hours actually worked and any discrepancies will need to be verified before hours are submitted for payment.
How often will youth be paid?
Youth will receive their paychecks from Management Business Solutions for all 6 weeks of GRow1000 and any additional paid work opportunities by attending both the GRow1000 Pre-program Orientation & Job Shadow Day sessions. The pay schedules will mirror that of employees of the City of Grand Rapids
For 2026 all GRow1000 youth participants will be paid $15/hour.
The GRow1000 2026 pay schedule will be made available during orientation.
What if youth have a question about the amount of pay they have received?
They should email Grow1000@mgmtbsolutions.com if they have questions about their paycheck.
Are bus passes provided to youth to get to work?
Yes - A bus pass can be requested and obtained by a GRower at the time of their attendance at their mandatory GRow1000 Orientation Training date.
What if youth are injured during working hours?
If your youth worker is injured, please comply with your business or organization’s emergency protocols. Also contact Our Community’s Children staff at occyouth@grcity.us and Management Business Solutions at Grow1000@mgmtbsolutions.com to ensure all workplace incidents have been document correct. If youth are under the age of 18, please contact their parent/guardian as well.
Emergency procedures will be discussed in detail at the GRow1000 Business Partner Orientation on Friday, May 29th.
Is my organization responsible for providing insurance or benefits?
No, normally only full-time employees are eligible for benefits provided by the employer. Youth workers are short-term employees and are therefore ineligible.
When does the employment experience start and end?
Your commitment is to offer an employment experience for 6 weeks of work averaging 17 hours a week from June 8 - July 17, 2026 for a total of 120 hours. Keep in mind that no work should be scheduled during the GRow Further Friday Professional Development sessions. GRowers receive 3 hours of pay for mandatory attendance every week. The GRower workweek should average 20 hours a week which includes 17 hours at their worksite and 3 hours at GRow Further Fridays.
Can I continue to employ my youth worker(s) after the 6 weeks of work?
- After the last date of the 6-week GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program on Friday, July 17th, GRowers are no longer considered current youth employees.
- Management Business Solutions is no longer responsible for paying wages after all work hours have been submitted and verified for the 6-week program.
- Businesses and organizations can offer further employment with youth once the summer program has concluded. In this case, the business or organization will need to assume all onboarding/hiring, payroll responsibilities, and employer of record designation.
When should I receive notice of my matched GRow1000 employee(s) and when is the Business Partner Orientation Session?
Youth applicants 15 to 24-years-old must complete an online application and submit all onboarding required documents with the City of Grand Rapids to be eligible for job placement.
- All onboarding documents must be received by Friday, May 8th to be eligible and documents will not be accepted after this date. This is the first phase of the application process. Once applications are reviewed by Our Community’s Children and Management Business Solutions, and email with containing supplemental documents will be sent. Thereafter, applicants will be invited to attend a mandatory interview to determine if they are offered a spot in the GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program.
- Both matched youth participants and worksite supervisor(s) will be contacted via email regarding their placements by Our Community’s Children staff by Friday, May 27, 2026.
- OCC Staff do not guarantee job placements.
Our Community’s Children will hold a GRow1000 Business Partner Orientation Session on Friday, May 29th to discuss specific details of the program and to answer questions for worksite supervisors. An invite to all will be sent to all registered worksites prior to the date with more information.
What if my GRower decides to no longer participate after the start of the program or is not a good fit for our business or organization?
This experience is to promote career exposure and skill-building. For many, this may be their first work experience, and some leeway will be needed for who have not had experience in a professional setting.
- OCC Staff, in collaboration with the GRow1000 Employer Community of Practice, have implemented intentional strategies for GRow1000 supervisors to utilize to ensure youth workplace opportunities are beneficial and rewarding for both youth and supervisors during the program.
- These strategies and additional information will be available during the GRow1000 Business Orientation session on Friday, May 129h.
If difficulties arise after the start of the program, supervisors are encouraged to hold discussions, or additional training, with their GRower to express expectations or other work task opportunities to create a positive program experience.
Please reach out to OCC Program Coordinator Zach Laraway at zlaraway@grcity.us with questions.
Can I donate to the initiative as well as employ youth?
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, food, event space, supplies, GRow1000 swag, 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 $2,200.
Checks can be made payable to the City of Grand Rapids, Attn: Our Community’s Children, 900 Fuller SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507.
To donate via credit card, please follow the steps below:
1. Please visit https://payments.grandrapidsmi.gov/.
2. Click "Pay As Guest."
3. Click "Our Community's Children Donations."
4. Look for Donation Categories and select "GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program (Ages 15 - 24).”
Please contact Shannon L. Harris, Executive Director, at 616.456.3558 or sharris@grcity.us for more information.
If I have more questions, whom should I contact?
Questions about the youth application, document processing, and paychecks can be direct to Management Business Solutions at:
All other questions can be directed to Our Community’s Children staff at:
