Organization wants to place 70 Tucson students in a paid internship

Local youths, seeking real-life work experience, are looking for employers willing to help train them — and there’s no charge.

Tucson Youth Development, with funding from the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, works with local business owners to place students, ages 16 to 24, in jobs to learn both hard and soft skills of the working world.

Their salaries and liability insurance are paid through a grant for 144 hours of service through May.

“We’re a bridge for these kids,” said Timothy Kennedy, Tucson Youth Development’s youth opportunity manager. “And we want to provide a meaningful work experience.”

The organization is looking to place about 70 students in the paid internship program.

Migdalia Day, owner of Madison Days Salon and Mobile Service, was approached about participating and didn’t hesitate.

“I figured I’d give it a shot and give a kid a chance,” she said.

A couple of months ago, she got Liliana Lopez, 18, to join her at the salon.

Day said her young employee is a good listener and “puts effort into everything she is asked to do.”

Lopez dreams of becoming a traveling stylist.

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For now, she is learning the business end of things and helps with phones, scheduling, shampooing and styling. She’s attending Aveda Institute Tucson to get her stylist license.

“It’s really great to try it out,” she said of the work experience. Lopez said she is learning on the job with the bonus of learning to be assertive and look out for herself.

“Now I feel confident,” she said.

After she finishes beauty school, she plans to take business classes and learn the steps necessary to open her own business.

“I like making people happy,” she said of her career choice, “and making them more beautiful.”

She received $1,000 for three months of working twice a week, six hours a day.

To employers who might be hesitant to participate, Day urged them to give it a try.

“Help kids follow their dreams,” Day said. “I’m going to be a little part of her career and I will feel proud.”

The job placement program is funded through May. Anyone interested in training a student can call Fernanda Laguna at 248-6345.