City Program Offers Teens Paid Summer Jobs and Skills

A Positive Step of Monroe County (APSMC), a nonprofit organization, is running its Idle Hands summer youth employment program for the fourteenth consecutive year. This initiative partners with the City of Key West to provide paid summer employment and professional development opportunities for local teenagers. Fourteen students from Key West High School (KWHS) are currently participating in the program, which extends through July 31.

Founded in 2010 by youth and family advocate Billy Davis, APSMC has consistently connected KWHS students aged 16 and older with meaningful summer jobs within various city departments. This year, participants are gaining experience in areas such as engineering/multimodal transportation, community services, transit, the cemetery, and the police department. The program aims to equip these young individuals with skills that will benefit them in their future academic and career pursuits.

Among the current cohort are 16-year-old students Monea McLeod and Zaylee Hayes, both rising juniors at KWHS. They are interning with Ryan Stachurski, the City of Key West’s multimodal transportation coordinator. Their roles involve learning about local government operations, developing professional competencies, and understanding how municipal services function within the community. This hands-on experience is designed to prepare them for college and beyond.

“Every summer, these students remind us just how much talent, determination and potential our community has,” stated Davis. “Watching them show up eager to learn, take on new responsibilities and begin shaping their futures is incredibly inspiring. They give all of us reason to be optimistic about the future.”

The Idle Hands program requires an annual investment of approximately $100,000. The City of Key West contributes $35,000 towards student wages. APSMC secures the remaining funding through a combination of donations, grants, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events. One such event is a benefit dinner scheduled for Saturday, July 18, at the Key West Cooking Show, located at 291 Front St. The evening will feature a culinary demonstration by local chefs, culminating in a multi-course meal that highlights Key West's culinary heritage. More information about APSMC and the benefit dinner can be found by visiting apsmc.org. For direct inquiries, Davis can be reached at 305-304-1969 or via email at [email protected]. Further details about local news and events can be found in the Keys Weekly.