Dozens Of East Haven Youth Lose Jobs Due To State Budget Woes

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

EAST HAVEN, CT – The latest victim of the state budget crisis is a youth work program which gives about 35 town young people jobs for part of the summer.

The town, along with 30 other towns in the area, recently received notice from the Workforce Alliance, that because the state has not been able to approve a budget that funding for the youth work program has been suspended.

The program was scheduled to begin in early July. Statewide more than 5,000 youths are put to work through the program.

In an email sent to the participating towns, John Brancato Manager, Quality Assurance/Youth Services, said: “Unfortunately, we have been informed that the Summer Program is not being considered for emergency monthly funding in absence of a State budget and because of the timing and uncertainty of budget discussions it is recommended that there be no program implemented for Summer 2017.”

Brancato further advised the towns: “Please do not have anyone begin summer activities effective July 1st unless other funds are being used. This is a very sad and disappointing turn of events.”

The news wasn’t received well by East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr.

“The Connecticut Youth Summer Employment Program is one of the most important programs that our state provides, as the dollars of this grant program goes directly to our youth in the form of their wages,” said Maturo.

“The income based program not only provides some monies to families that need it the most, it also teaches these participants the importance of the principles of having a good work ethic and helps to prepare them for the next step in their long career as part of our future workforce,” the mayor said.