Summer gigs: Spokane youths get on-the-job training through Youth Ops program

With practiced ease, Ysabelle DelaCruz spritzed a fine mist over heads of lettuce, carrots and other vegetables Wednesday.

DelaCruz, who works for River City Youth Ops, was stationed at a booth at the Kendall Yards Night Market selling produce she helped grow.

It’s the 12-year-old’s first job.

“They helped (me) learn how to fill out applications,” she said.

“It think it’s very good future job experience and it looks good on a resume,” she added.

That’s the entire point, said James Kashork, executive director of River City Youth Ops.

River City Youth Ops, which used to be called Project Hope, was rebranded in May. As part of that process, the nonprofit broadened its mission.

Now, Kashork said, they recruit youths from all over the community – not just West Central, as had been the case. DelaCruz is one of about 40 children hired by the organization this year. Because she’s a minor, DelaCruz receives a stipend payment, in order to stay in compliance with state laws.

The organization gives youths an entry-level job and the skills and experience to get another job later. That includes learning how to fill out tax information and getting a food handler’s permit.

“Our goal is not just to offer a job, but to offer a job and an opportunity,” Kashork said.

About half of the kids in the program come from low-income homes, Kashork said. In addition to manning the stall at the Kendall Yards Night Market, teens also tend lawns through the West Central Lawn Care service, grow vegetables in urban gardens and sell produce and other products at various farmers markets.

This year, Kashork said they started selling olive oil and salt at the Kendall Yards Night Market. They sold Belgian-style waffles for a time, but an extension cord that powered the waffle maker was stolen.

The underlying goal is to give youths opportunities and training they might not otherwise get.

“I learned to talk to people and not be desperately awkward,” said Malik Standley, 14. “It’s also going to be helpful when I apply for other jobs.”

It’s those sorts of lessons and skills that set Youth Ops apart from a standard summer job.

The organization is focused on kids who “don’t need a job but need an opportunity,” Kashork said.

So, while it’s open to anyone to apply, Kashork is most interested in those teenagers who may not have an opportunity to work otherwise.

A related goal is to help slow “summer slide,” the decline in learning and activity experienced by many students during summer vacation. Much of the work the teenagers do integrates concepts or skills they’re learning in school.

“Any way that we can sneak learning in there,” Kashork said.

Youth Ops also connects teens with job coaches who help them prepare for interviews. For instance, Kashork said, a Youth Ops alum is employed at My Fresh Basket after getting help from a job coach.

Last year, more than 75 teens provided about 10,000 hours of work and grew more than 4 tons of vegetables that were sold at markets around town.

On Wednesday, Karina Dautenhahn, 22, supervised the teenagers working at the Kendall Yards Night Market. She said she watches them interact with customers and gives them feedback. That includes making eye contact, prompt service and conversations.

“Customer service is something the kids definitely improve on,” she said.

As she spoke, Standley helped sell a bottle of olive oil to a couple who had stopped at the stand.