Youth programs offer teens college, career opportunities Published Aug. 21, 2009 By Jessica Casserly Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Maxwell and Gunter Youth Centers are providing opportunities for teens to earn college tuition money and gain work experience through their Youth Employment Skills, or YES, and Junior Staff programs. YES, a program available to military dependants ages 14-18, offers youth a chance to earn money toward their college tuition, said Roy Summers, director of Maxwell Youth Programs. "The program allows students to earn $4 per hour or up to $500 per year toward college tuition," said Mr. Summers. "Students participating in the program can volunteer at any organization on the base to earn credit," Mr. Summers said. Mr. Summers said the students earn $6 an hour with $4 of the money earned going to the students for tuition and $2 going to the base where the student worked and to be put into their Youth Program. "We had three students participate in the YES program for the 2008-2009 school year," Mr. Summers said. Together, the students earned more than $1,000 of college tuition money for themselves and more than $500 for Maxwell Youth Programs, said Mr. Summers. "The Junior Staff program is available to youth ages 16-18, who are currently enrolled in high school," said Robert Richert, director of Gunter Youth Programs. Participants work as Youth Center employees under permission from the Department of Defense, Mr. Richert said. Junior Staff members work 6 to 10 hours a week, said Mr. Richert. "They assist staff with administrative duties and the general operation of the center," Mr. Richert said. "They also assist with tutoring and can help staff with youth related activities." Mr. Richert said the Gunter Youth Center is currently employing two Junior Staff employees and both centers have had several youth go through the program. "It works out really well," Mr. Richert said. "They provide the office support needed to allow us to spend more time with the kids."