Trouble with schoolwork?  Having trouble getting or keeping a job?  Feeling frustrated with your lack of career options?  Need someone to talk to?

youthOPPORTUNITIES is a program for young people ages 14-21 who could use a little help to achieve their goals. 

youthOPPORTUNITIES offers participants a wide variety of educational and work- oriented options to assist them in being successful in school... and in life.

What is youthOPPORTUNITIES?
youthOPPORTUNITIES is a new, community-based program in Ashtabula County that offers participants year-round access to a wide variety of services depending on their personal needs.  Our focus placed on youth who either need help to successfully continue in school and graduate or who need assistance completing their high-school education or equivalency (GED) while getting and keeping a job and becoming more self-sufficient.

What do we offer?

• In-school and after-school tutoring for math and reading as well as English for children of non-English speaking parents

•  After-school programs focusing on academic tutoring, pre-employment and life skills instruction

• After-school career-exploration and work internships for youth making career decisions and learning about the world of work

• Summer work internships and special programs designed to complement the participants

• Alternate education programs for youth that have not completed high school or achieved their GED

• Intensive career exploration, work preparation and work experience programs for youth that need guidance and skills to successfully get and hold a job

• Work Search Assistance providing support one-on-one situations for individuals with specific needs

• Transportation and child-care are available to assist participants in meeting their educational and employment goals

• Other special programs or services can also be developed to meet individual needs

yO! and YOU!

Interested in participating in yO!?  Your first step is to get your hands on a yO! application. You can get one by seeing your school's guidance counselor, stopping at your local community center or by stopping at the Ashtabula County Department of Job and Family Services Office of Workforce Development at 2247 Lake Avenue in Ashtabula. They are open between 8:00am and 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. You can also call the number below to have one mailed to you. Youth under age 18 will need a parent or legal guardian signature and all applications must be completed fully in order to be considered. 

All applications will be reviewed based on criteria set by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the Workforce Policy Board of Ashtabula County and the Ashtabula County Department of Job and Family Services. 

If you have questions regarding the programs and services offered by youthOPPORTUNITIES, please call 994-1234 (1-800-935-0242) and ask for us.

yO! Accelerated Career Education

Accelerated Career Education (ACE) is designed to meet the needs of young people aged 16-21 who are "out of school".  You might qualify if you are a school drop-out or even a high school graduate who is having difficulty finding or keeping a job.  We can assist you in these and other areas:

• Parenting Skills

• Career Exploration

• Paid Work Experience

• Basic Education

• Occupational Skills Training

• Workplace Survival Skills

• Leadership Skills

• Supported Intensive Work Search

• Mentoring

• Work Search Preparation

• Life Skills

• Intensive Education Track: Alternate High School or GED preparation

• Support Services like transportation, child-care and counseling

• 12-month Follow-up Services

Want to see how we might be able to help you make a better future for yourself?  Call 994-1234 or 1-800-935-0242 and ask for youthOPPORTUNITIES.

All participants in youthOPPORTUNITIES and the ACE program must meet the eligibility requirements set forth in the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, as well as those defined by the Ashtabula County Workforce Policy Board. 

If you are interested in learning more about yO! and the ACE program, your first step is to either call 994-1234 (I- 800-935-0242) or stop in at 2247 Lake Avenue in Ashtabula. The yO! offices are in the Ashtabula County Department of Job and Family Services Workforce Development office. There you can learn more about yO! programs and complete a yO! Application. The office is open between 8:OOAM and 4:30PM, Monday through Friday, except for legal holidays. 

Your application will be reviewed and, based on the information given, you will either be scheduled for an Eligibility Program or notified that, based on the information provided in the application, you are not eligible for services. 

Once you receive final eligibility certification a yO! staff member will contact you to set up an individual conference so that your specific needs can be determined and a personalized plan can be laid out to meet your needs. From there, who knows what we can help you accomplish!

youthOPPORTUNITIES is a program of the ACJVS provided under a WIA contract with the Ashtabula County Department of Job and Family Services.

2247 Lake Avenue
PO Box 1650
Ashtabula, OH  44005-1650
(440) 994-1234 / 1-800-935-0242