- YOU
- FAQ
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Frequently Asked Questions
Applications for the 2023 MyCITY Kalamazoo summer youth employment program open on Monday, January 23rd, 2023. Applications for the CareerNOW pathway will be accepted on a rolling basis until all training slots have been filled.
Selection into the Career 101 and Career 2.0 pathways will be chosen at random by an unaffiliated third-party entity from a list of all eligible applicants. The random drawing process will be completed after the close of the application. CareerNOW participants will be selected after an interview and assessment process. All MyCITY Kalamazoo applicants will be contacted via email, within 5-7 business days of the random drawing process with additional information about the next steps. Completing the application does not guarantee eligibility or participation in the program.
Eligibility of the applicant will be assessed after the online application is complete, the required documents have been uploaded, and MyCITY staff have reviewed and accepted all submissions. YOU reserves the right to limit participation based on available employment opportunities. If selected to participate in the 2023 MyCITY summer youth employment program, you will be notified by email.
To complete the online application, you will need the following information:
- Name and home street address
- Applicant phone number as well as parent/guardian phone number if under the age of 18
- Valid email address (email address must be unique for each applicant and different from the Parent/Guardian email)
- Eligibility documents (see required documents question below) ready for upload to the program application
- Be able to answer questions regarding school status and name of school attending
- Be able to answer questions related to your career interests and plans beyond high school
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Do I need my parent/guardian with me to apply?
A parent/guardian signature is not required during the application process but will be required for participants under the age of 18 prior to beginning the program.
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When does the online application open, how will I apply?
- The online application opens on Monday, January 23rd, 2023
- All applications must be completed ONLINE. To complete the application, you will need a computer or other device that is connected to the internet. YOU will host public events that applicants can attend for support with completing the application.
- Only one (1) application may be submitted per applicant. Duplicate applications will be deleted.
- You will find the link to our online application at kresa.org/mycity
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Who can participate in the 2022 MyCITY Kalamazoo Summer Youth Employment Program?
- You must be age 14-21 as of June 19, 2023, and
- You must live within the city of Kalamazoo (not Kalamazoo Township). Please CLICK HERE to check the Street Guide Directory.
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When is the 2023 program, and how long will it last?
- Eligibility determinations, registration and internship site placement will be taking place from April 2023-May 2023
- The official MyCITY Kalamazoo start date will be June 19, 2023, but specific dates may vary depending on program pathway.
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If I participated last year, do I need to apply to participate again?
You will be asked to complete the online application and submit updated/current documentation.
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Can I apply for my sister or brother at the same time?
- No, each person must apply individually
- Each applicant must have their own email account
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I don’t have a computer at home. How will I apply online?
- If you have a smartphone, or a phone with internet access, you may be able to complete the application process using the phone even if you do not have a computer.
- If you wish to apply, but do not have a device and/or access to the internet, please contact YOU at (269) 775-1660.
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What if I don’t have a social security card?
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All applicants must provide proof of their eligibility to work in the United States, but that does not necessarily mean that a social security card must be submitted. You may provide any of the following documents as proof of authorization to work:
- US Social Security card
- Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority or outlying territory of the US bearing an official seal
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Certification of Birth Abroad issued by US State Department
- Certification of Report of Birth issued by US State Department
- US Citizen ID Card
- ID Card for use of a resident citizen in the US
- Employment authorization document issued by the Department of Homeland Security
If you need financial assistance obtaining eligibility documents, please contact YOU at 269-775-1660.
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I don’t have an email address? How can I get one?
- You can sign up for a free email address through many different email providers such as: Google, Yahoo, Outlook, etc.
- The email address on your application will be the primary way that MyCITY staff will communicate with you after completing the online application, so be sure to check your email inbox often.
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If I apply, what other documents will I need to participate in the program?
Proof of Identity (one of the following):
- Driver’s license (must not be expired)
- ID card issued by federal, state or local government agencies or entities, provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color and address
- School ID card with a photograph
- Voter registration card
- US military card or draft record
- Military dependent’s ID card
- US coast guard merchant mariner document card
- Native American tribal document
- Driver’s license issued by Canadian government authority
- If you are under the age of 18 and unable to present a document listed above, you may provide one of the following:
- School record or report card
- Clinic, doctor or hospital record
- Day care or nursery school record
- If you are under the age of 18 and unable to present a document listed above, you may provide one of the following:
Proof of eligibility to work in the US (one of the following):
- US Social Security card
- Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority or outlying territory of the US bearing an official seal
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Certification of Birth Abroad issued by US State Department
- Certification of Report of Birth issued by US State Department
- US Citizen ID Card
- ID Card for use of a resident citizen in the US
- Employment authorization document issued by the Department of Homeland Security.
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I don’t have a certified copy of my birth certificate. How can I get one?
- If you were born in Kalamazoo County, you may get a copy of your birth certificate from the Kalamazoo County Court House,
- If born in another state, you will find additional information at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm
- If you need financial assistance obtaining eligibility documents, please contact YOU at 269-775-1660.
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How will I be paid if selected to participate in MyCITY Kalamazoo?
You will be paid bi-weekly according to the Kalamazoo RESA pay schedule. Specifics regarding pay dates will be provided during the orientations which are scheduled closer to the start date of the program.
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Will there be a background check?
Yes, a background check will be conducted on all youth selected to participate in MyCITY Kalamazoo.
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Once I complete the ONLINE application process, what happens next?
In order to have a completed application, you must complete two steps. First, the applicant will complete the application form, and then they will be required to upload employment documents – proof of identity and eligibility to work in the US. Both must be complete prior to the application close date. In the meantime, you will hear from YOU staff via email regarding further steps for participation in programming.
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What kind of jobs are there?
Available work opportunities will be based on participate age. Participants who are 14 and 15 years old will engage in project-based learning, hands-on career exploration, and career pathway planning activities. Participants who are 16 to 21 will engage in paid internship opportunities in partnership with local employers. MyCITY partners with a variety of local employers to provide internships and hands-on work experience.
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Do I get paid for Holidays?
No. Youth will only be paid for hours actually worked.
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Am I guaranteed a job placement once I apply?
No, placement is not guaranteed. Placement will be determined by the number of applicants that submit documentation and a random selection process. MyCITY Kalamazoo reserves the right to limit participation based on available employment opportunities.
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Is there a waiting list for Jobs?
There may be, but it depends on the number of applicants applying and available positions.
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What are the different pathways?
Career 101 (ages 14-15): Career exploration and pathway planning through hands-on work experience, project-based learning, academic opportunity exposure and career training.
Career 2.0 (ages 16-21): Gain real-world work experience through participation in internships with community employers, explore your current interests and take the next step toward your long-term career goals, plus training with our YOU staff.
CareerNOW (ages 18-21) This program offers you free, hands-on occupational training resulting in industry-recognized certifications and a paycheck! You land placement in a community-based internship or job in your specialized field after just a few weeks of soft skills and technical training. Available training programs are: Construction Trades, Certified Nurse Aid (CNA), Welding, Early Childhood Education, Culinary Arts, Phlebotomy and many more!
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How can I get more information?
- Email mycitykzoo@kresa.org with questions
- Call YOU at (269) 775-1660 during our business hours:
- Monday through Thursday, 8am-4:30pm
- Fridays, 8am-3:30pm