What is the Jobs Work Program, and Why does it Matter?
Work is more than a paycheck—it’s a pathway to stability, confidence, and belonging.
But for too many young people in our communities, that path feels out of reach. They face barriers to employment, lack access to mentors, and are often left to navigate the working world alone.
That’s where the Jobs Work Program (JWP) comes in.
Founded in 2017, the Jobs Work Program was born out of a simple but powerful question. While participating in our Building Uplifting Relationships (BUR) Program, local youth were asked what they needed most. Their answer was unanimous: “We want jobs.”
From that honest conversation, the Jobs Work Program was launched. What began with a single student-run Snow Cone Booth has since grown into a robust workforce readiness program that partners with schools districts in Salt Lake County and community organizations throughout the region.
What is the Jobs Work Program?
The Jobs Works Program (JWP) is an organized effort to equip youth (typically ages 14 to 24) with the tools and experience they need to enter the workforce with confidence. We combine job readiness workshops with paid work opportunities to help equip our students with both the soft and hard skills that are needed to find employment and career success throughout their lives.
Our workshops generally encompass components such as resume creation, interview coaching, mentorship, and occasionally financial literacy training, while our paid training in the Good Start Snow Cone Booth or Good Start Food Truck provide hands-on work opportunities to cover the entry-level job experience that comes outside the classroom.
We also believe in rewarding effort. Last year, we provided a $15 stipend for each workshop attended. After completing a certain number of sessions, students are eligible to apply for a food handler’s permit—which we cover financially as well—enabling them to work at our community events.
Why does JWP Matter?
The Jobs Work Program isn’t just a summer program to keep kids occupied—it’s a critical investment in our youth and our community. It supports young people at the individual level, helping them gain confidence, skills, and a sense of direction. But its impact goes far beyond individual growth. When young people are empowered to succeed, the whole community benefits—with safer neighborhoods, stronger families, and a more hopeful future.
Here’s why programs like JWP are not only important, but urgently needed:
1. It teaches lifelong skills, not just temporary solutions
As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” Our work experiences may be temporary, but the skills we teach last forever. Even if a student only participates for one year, they leave with a foundation for continued education, employment, and self-sufficiency.
2. It builds confidence and a sense of purpose
Getting a first job or learning a new skill can be transformative. Our participants often leave with something they didn’t have before: pride in their work, a belief in their own potential, and a renewed sense of what their future could look like.
3. It teaches soft skills that employers seek
School doesn’t always teach the day-to-day behaviors that make a good employee—like punctuality, teamwork, customer mediation, professionalism, and how to receive feedback. We do. And these soft skills often make the difference between getting a job and keeping it.
4. It helps youth discover their interests and talents early
Exposure to different kinds of work helps youth figure out what they like (and don’t like). That clarity can save time and college debt later by pointing them toward trades or careers that suit their strengths and values.
5. It promotes early financial responsibility
As our students earn money through the program and complete the employee onboarding process, they naturally begin to learn the value of money—how to budget, save, and manage their paychecks—skills that often take years to develop independently. Early exposure to money management sets them up for greater stability and long-term financial success.
6. It helps prevent crime by offering an alternative
Access to income changes lives. When young people can earn money legally and ethically, they’re far less likely to turn to crime just to survive. Programs like JWP don’t just help individuals—they help protect entire communities.
See research from The Corps Network: providing jobs to young people reduces crime and offers long-term ROI.
7. It breaks cycles of generational poverty
For participants that may be coming from families or communities where stable employment is rare, teaching job skills and providing mentorship interrupts that cycle by opening doors and shifting expectations. We show youth firsthand: “This is what’s possible for you.”
8. It strengthens communities as a whole
When youth are employed and engaged, crime drops, dependence on public aid decreases, and hope grows. The ripple effect is real. Our participants often become role models for their siblings and peers, inspiring others to seek out opportunity rather than fall into discouragement.
9. It gives all youth a fair shot
Not every young person has connections, internships, or parents who can help them get their foot in the door. Programs like JWP help level the playing field, giving youth from all backgrounds a real chance to succeed.
What sets JWP apart?
While some other job training programs may require full-time enrollment or residence, JWP aims to meet our students where they’re at by being flexible and accessible. While we welcome students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to participate, there are no enrollment limitations based on financial standing or educational background. Our workshops have historically been available as CTE courses at partnering schools, and during the summer, they’re held at local libraries (Currently Glendale, Granite, and Kearns). Students can attend at their own pace. Once they’ve completed the necessary workshops, they can earn a food handler’s permit and apply to work our public events.
We don’t just help teens get jobs. We help them build a future.
If you believe in the power of work, dignity, and opportunity, then we invite you to support the Jobs Work Program. Whether you’re a parent, educator, employer, donor, or prospective student, you can be part of a movement to help young people set the foundation for financial sustainability and become leaders in their communities.
To learn more or get involved, contact us at information@ffcutah.org or visit the Jobs Work Landing Page.
