GRow1000 Youth Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I’m interested in participating in GRow1000 Youth Employment over the summer. How do I apply?

The application for GRow1000 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program is now live and can be accessed by clicking the link here: GRow1000 2026 Job Application

IMPORTANT NOTE 

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.

For any questions or issues related to the GRow1000 application, submission of application paperwork, or verification of required forms, please contact Management Business Solutions at Grow1000@mgmtbsolutions.com.

Please do not direct any questions to the City of Grand Rapids Human Resources Dept. as they are not responsible for any items related to GRow1000 this year.

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.

What are the requirements for participating in the GRow1000 Program?

Program Requirements:

·      Must be 15 to 24 years of age by June 8, 2026.

·      Complete an application and all necessary onboarding pre- employment documents by Friday, May 8^th.

·      *Attend 1 *invite-only* Pre-employment interview scheduled by Our Community’s Children staff.

-       Applicants must submit all application paperwork and forms to receive an invite to a scheduled GRow1000 interview.

·      *Attend 1 *invite-only* paid Pre-employment Orientation Training session prior to work assignment.

-       Applicants must be invited to and participate in a scheduled interview prior to receiving an invite to GRow1000 Orientation.

·      *Attend 1 scheduled Job Shadow Day session scheduled by matched worksite supervisor.

·      Attend weekly professional development sessions each Friday during the 6-week program.

*NOTE: Submission of the application, required paperwork, and attending an interview session does not guarantee participation or a matched job placement for GRow1000.

After I complete my application, how will I access my pre- employment paperwork?

All pre-employment paperwork will be emailed to you by Management Business Solutions after staff have confirmed applicants meet the requirements for participation. Communication will be emailed from Grow1000@mgmtbsolutions.comand we encourage all applicants to check their spam/junk folders using the email address provided in their submitted application. All pre-employment paperwork must be submitted by no later than May 8^th.

How do I complete my pre-employment paperwork?

Please use the GRow1000 Application Guide for step-by-step instructions throughout the application process. Should you have additional questions or need to confirm the status of your application or paperwork, please contact Management Business Solutions at Grow1000@mgmtbsolutions.com.

Tips for completing your paperwork:

•       Be sure to use the same name and contact information of the GRow1000 applicant when filling out all information. Parent/guardian information is only needed for emergency contact(s) and parental/guardian

•       Double-check all documents for accurate information before submitting(especially the I-9, W4’s, and Direct Deposit forms).

Our Community’s Children will also host two GRowcase Information Sessions on the following dates:

•       Wednesday, April 8th – 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (In-person at the CityCommission Chambers – 9^th Floor)

•       Wednesday, April 15^th – 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Virtual – Link will be provided to applicants prior to the event)

These Meet-and-Greet style “GRowcase” event is designed to encourage youth to meet with potential worksites and learn more about different work opportunities during GRow1000 while also providing an opportunity to ask questions regardingtheir application or onboarding paperwork with Management Business Solutions Representatives.

What employment documents will I need to participate in the program?

*All GRow1000 onboarding documents must be submitted by Friday, May 8th by 5:00 p.m. to be eligible to participate in the application process.

1.   W4 Tax Documentation (Federal, State, and City)

2.   Personnel Data Sheet

3.   Direct Deposit

4.   Parental Consent Form

5.   Minor Video Consent Form (English & Spanish)

6.   18+ Video Consent Form (English & Spanish)

7.   Injury Handout

8.   Work Permit

9.   *Completed I-9 Identification Verification Form

*Note: I-9 (Section 2) Identification Documents and forms of ID are to be submitted only after applicants have submitted all other documents above and have been invited to participate in a GRow1000 interview. The acceptable forms of Identification for eligibility (Please review I-9 Form for accepted ID documents):

•      Government Issued Photo ID or School Issued ID

•      Passport

•      Social Security Card or Birth Certificate

•      Other Forms ID, etc.

IMPORTANT: Section 2 of the I-9 Identification Verification Form and copies of youth applicant identification must be submitted in- person at the time of their interview or directly to Management Business Solutions by Friday, May 8^th to be eligible for worksite placement in GRow1000.

Once I have completed all required paperwork, how will I receive an invite to attend a GRow1000 interview and how will I know if I’ve been offered to participate in GRow1000 this summer?

Once your onboarding pre-employment paperwork is completed, applicants willreceive an email from Our Community’s Children staff inviting them to an interview session that is required of all eligible applicants.

•       Once eligibility has been determined after the interview, applicants will be notified through email with a conditional offer of employment in GRow1000 and upon accepting this offer, a matched job placement will be sent by Friday, May 22^nd.

*NOTE: Our Community’s Children staff is committed to creating successful andmeaningful work assignments for all youth. However, we cannot guarantee matching requests can be accommodated during the program.

Can I request a change from the employer I was matched with?

All GRow1000 Employee/Worksite matched job assignments are considered final once assigned by OCC staff using the responses from the application, questionnaire and the availability of workplace assignments.

*Only in the case of an emergency or where additional workplace accommodations are necessary will replacements be considered.

What are the dates of the Mandatory Pre-Employment Orientation Training?

All GRow1000 Participants must attend their applicant-specific assigned paid Pre-Employment Orientation Training Session on the following dates:

•       Monday, May 18th – 4:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.

•       Tuesday, May 19th – 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

•       Wednesday, May 20^th – 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

*All Pre-Employment Orientation Training sessions are by invite only! Eligible applicants will receive an invite from OCC staff prior to their specific orientation date with the orientation site location and any necessary details. Applicants who have not received an invite to a specified orientation session should not plan to attend an orientation session without confirmation from OCC staff.

Will I have an opportunity to meet with my matched worksite supervisor prior to the first day on Monday, June 8th?

Yes – Once eligible applicants have received and accepted their conditional offer of employment and a matched job placement, their GRow1000 worksite supervisor will provide information via email by about any scheduled Job Shadow Day experiences for which participants will be paid for attending up to 3 hours.

As always, matched participants are encouraged to introduce themselves and discuss specific details related to their work assignment prior to the 1st day of work in GRow1000.

Both worksite supervisors and matched employees are required to participate in aJob Shadow Day prior to the first day of work to meet in-person at their assigned workplace to receive additional information about their specific tasks, work environments, and weekly schedules. Job Shadow Day opportunities will be scheduled by your matched worksite supervisor.

What are the dates of the program and how many hours can I work per week?

The first day employees will report to work is Monday, June 8th. The last day employees will report to work is Friday, July 17th.

GRow1000 End-of-Program Celebration will also be held on Friday, July 17th. GRow1000 employees are allowed to work a total of 17 hours with their worksite per week. Employees are also required to attend weekly professional development with Our Community’s Children staff every Friday for six weeks of the program for 3 hours. Employees can be paid for a total of 20 per weekincluding the GRow Further Friday professional development.

What are GRow Further Fridays and must I attend each week?

*NOTE: Dates/Times of GFF Sessions are subject to change depending on curriculum and scheduling of programming.