In pursuits of Mayor Dyer’s One Fresno vision of ‘an inclusive prosperous, beautiful city where people take pride in their neighborhoods and community.  A government that listens, keeps its promises, and is owned by the people,’ the City of Fresno has created the One Fresno Youth Jobs Corps program.  Through a $7.4 M grant from California Volunteers and the State of California, the City will be able to hire youth ages 16-30 years old, pay them a livable wage, provide training and wrap-around services and put them on a career pathway for future City or outside organization employment in that field.

This program will advance two of the six mayoral priorities, inclusive economic development and youth leadership. Good inclusive economic investment includes creating opportunities for our most vulnerable, so that they might ultimately realize economic mobility. This program will assist us in reaching this goal by providing resources necessary to invest in our young people in an inclusive way. Ultimately, it will assist us on our journey towards realizing a ‘One Fresno.’

Strategic objectives to meet this goal include:

• Identifying the highest need 16-30 year-old youth and providing opportunities for entry-level employment in city government; and career paths for future upward mobility
• Removing existing barriers of vulnerable residents for training and employment with the City of Fresno
• Providing job training, case management and mentorship through existing partnerships for all fellows in the program
• Providing fellows with tools for success in future employment at the City of Fresno or other outside organizations
• Providing a living wage for fellows throughout the duration of the program.

The One Fresno Youth Jobs Corps program will focus on successful skills development, mentorship and case management for our most vulnerable youth which will ultimately change the path of our future workforce. Built on four core components 1) recruitment, 2) training and skills development, 3) mentorship and case management and 4) employment, the program will enable City of Fresno youth ages 16 to 30 who may have difficulty finding employment gain skills, experience, and have a source of income over the course of two years and beyond. This program will help participants expand their horizon for gainful employment opportunities.

The City of Fresno believes that, to enact positive change in someone’s life, you must provide them an opportunity and encouragement to succeed. Challenges like availability of gainful employment, the ability to earn a livable wage at an entry-level job, high barrier employment for people that have a criminal background or have had an unstable childhood are just some of the complications with which Fresnans are faced. We are specifically targeting our outreach and recruitment efforts to those that have one or more of the above barriers to participate in the One Fresno Youth Jobs Corps program. We want to encourage young people that positive change is not only possible, but that respected employment can be the change they are seeking.

The City of Fresno has identified an array of entry-level and career paths in various City departments. These pathways will provide both hands-on and technical training to equip each fellow with experience and know-how to qualify for future permanent employment.

Through a partnership with Career Nexus, potential fellows will apply for the program, be assessed by trained staff and provided next steps for employment and training specific to the field each fellow is interested in.

The Dyer Administration is committed to our young people. As a part of Mayor Dyer’s Youth Leadership initiative we have partnered with the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board to provide young adults (ages 14-24) pathways to education, training, and personal development.

This Young Adult Services Program (YAS) provides a comprehensive array of services that focus on assisting young adults with one or more barriers to employment to prepare for post-secondary education and employment opportunities, attain educational and/or skills training credentials, and secure employment with career or promotional employment opportunities.

The Academic Excellence Model focuses on empowering young adults with the foundation to be successful in seizing employment opportunities in today’s labor market.   Young adult services include:

• One on one assistance with personalized career road map
• Online tutoring in reading and math
• High school diploma/equivalency assistance
• Education and career assessments
• College or vocational training preparation assistance
• Exploring and developing a career goal
• Job readiness workshops
• Interview preparation workshops
• Financial literacy workshops
• Mentoring programs
• Leadership development
• Entrepreneurial training
• Training scholarships
• Work experience opportunities
• Job placement assistance

The minimum qualifications to receive personal guidance and assistance from a professional staff member is as follows:

• Must be 14-24 years of age
• Parent or legal guardian signature is required for those under 18
• Must be authorized to work in the USA
• Maybe required to meet Low-income eligibility guidelines
• Be a Fresno County resident
• Males 18 and older must meet military selective services compliance requirements

Participant flyer  

There are 3 simple steps to register and start the pathway to education and a rewarding career.

1. Get Started – To learn more about our Young Adult Services view our orientation video: Watch Video: 
2. Complete and Submit an Appointment/Referral Request Form
   (insert fillable form here) at the bottom please add the following disclaimer. This is not a City of Fresno administered program this workforce innovation and opportunity act (WIOA), Title I-financially assisted program/service is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to people with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency.
3. Make the Connection – Register for a CalJOBS account at www.caljobs.ca.gov:

Expedite your request for services, send secure messages to staff, Conduct job search and access labor marker career and employment data. After completing the aforementioned three steps, a  member of the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board will contact you. For other questions/comments contact the 559-490-7189.