Youth Empowered to Serve (YES!) Program

​Building brighter futures through paid internships, career exploration, and life skills for youth ages 14–18.

About the YES Program

The YES Program is an 8-week summer internship designed to empower youth, ages 14 to 18, through paid work experience, skill-building, and career exploration. This program helps young people gain valuable insights into different career paths, develop essential job skills, and build lasting confidence, all while earning a stipend.
Participants engage in:

• Hands-on work placements in local businesses and organizations
• Weekly Fundamental Wednesdays featuring financial literacy, mental health education, and team-building activities
• Job shadowing and career exploration opportunities
• Paid internship: $100 per week

The YES Program is a partnership between Neighborhood Centers and Johnson County Social Services, working together to support the next generation of community leaders.

Program Highlights

✅ For youth ages 14–18
✅ Runs for 8 weeks during the summer
✅ Participants earn up to $100 per week
✅ Combines real-world experience with life skills training
✅ Offers transportation support through Iowa City Transit
✅ Promotes career exploration and personal development

Applications can be completed online or in person at either of our centers 

Apply for 2026 YES Program

For questions or concerns:

RaQuishia Harrington
319-354-2886
raquishia-harrington@ncjc.org

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Portions of this programming are provided by: