Youth Employment Program
The youth employment program has successfully served the Sumter community since 1994, reaching well over 2,000 families in its lifetime. There are two award-winning options:
- Youth Corps: Kids Ages 14 and 15 are hired to work in various departments of the City of Sumter government offices.
- Youth Co-Op: Kids Ages 16 and above and in High School are hired by local businesses throughout the Sumter Community as part of our co-op program.
The program also offers training alongside the employment piece that focuses on the 17 principles of success training from Napoleon Hill (Hill, N. (2008, 1928). The law of success. Penguin). A parent and/or guardian is required to attend the workshops in conjunction with their child to maximize impact.
The workshops cover a variety of topics and offer various types of incentives for both students, parents, and guardians upon completion of the program. Topics include:
- definiteness of purpose,
- mastermind alliance,
- applied faith,
- going the extra mile,
- pleasing personality,
- personal initiative,
- positive mental attitude,
- enthusiasm,
- self-discipline,
- accurate thinking,
- controlled attention,
- teamwork,
- adversity & defeat,
- creative vision,
- health,
- budgeting time & money and
- habits.
Students must live in the city limits and meet income requirements set by HUD.
DOWNLOAD THE 2026 APPLICATION HERE
Students may also pick up applications from the Liberty Center, 12 W. Liberty Street, Suite 4, Sumter, between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Please contact Carolet Thomas at 803-774-1652 or Clarence Gaines 803-774-1649 for additional information.