Two years ago, Jake Shufro, now a junior at Staples, was listening as Maxx Crawley, the head of the Downtown Association, told Jake and his fellow members of the Youth Commission that employers were having trouble finding applicants for open positions. “We connected the dots…students were also looking for jobs,” says Jake. Jake decided to take action and, after researching potential solutions, found QuadJobs, a technology platform that connects local students with local employers. “We thought that was a great solution,” says Jake.
Since the Youth Commission advocates for Westport's youth, the students tackled issue after issue and built the Student Job Bank after a year of hard work. “We got around 280 student signups, and filled 30+ jobs,” says Jake, who notes employers can be businesses or households, and looking for things like babysitters or employees. “We put a lot of work into it, and it’s been rewarding to see it come to life.”
To strengthen its ties to the community, ten percent of the proceeds go to Homes With Hope, which works to prevent and end homelessness in Fairfield County. It is $10 for home-based employers and $100 for businesses to post a job (discount codes are available for trials). Jake has heard great feedback from his peers who have found work through the program. “None of this would exist without Westport’s willingness to help out the youth,” he says. “I’m very grateful.”
To learn more or post a job, visit westportyouthcommission.org