The Osage Nation Financial Assistance Department is preparing to launch its 2022 Summer Youth Work Program with worksites to include area businesses and other local government entities interested in offering work opportunities for area Native youth.
The annual summer work program provides Osage and Native American youth work experience in various fields and promotes young individuals to become competitive in the workforce, according to a news release. Businesses within the Osage county/ reservation boundaries interested in being a worksite for the program will receive summer help at no cost to the business. All youth will be paid through the ON Financial Assistance Department.
“The Summer Youth Work Program provides Native American youth professional experience while spurring economic development,” Financial Department Director Andrea Kemble said in a statement. “We are excited to work with new and returning worksites who can benefit from this Osage Nation initiative. Last year, we set a record with 133 successful participants, and we look forward to continuing that momentum in 2022.”
Historically, the Osage Nation government serves as a worksite by placing youth in various departments; however, the program this year also includes worksites that are Osage-owned businesses, public municipalities, and public-school systems.
“This year we are excited to offer interested youth the opportunity to participate in the new program Cyber Patriot, as a partnership with Tinker Air Force Base,” Kemble added. “CyberPatriot is the Air Force Association’s National Youth Cyber Education Program, created to inspire students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future.”
For more information on the CyberPatriot program, visit: https://www.uscyberpatriot.org
Summer youth worksites must be located on the Osages Reservation and agreements must be received by April 29, 2022, according to the release. Worksites interested in participating can download an agreement at https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/services/financial-assistance
For more information on the youth work program, the ON Financial Assistance Office can be reached at (918) 287-5325 or email financial-assist@osagenation-nsn.gov.
Summer Youth Work Program applications will be open April 1-30, 2022, with eligibility details forthcoming.
