KEY WEST’S SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM LOSES CRITICAL FUNDING

Nineteen-year-old Axel Malgeri, center, with his mother Giselda Liotta, left, and A Positive Step of Monroe County executive director Billy Davis. Malgeri worked in the IT department in 2018 and 2019 as part of the Idle Hands summer jobs program.

For some teens, summer jobs are a way to earn some pocket money and keep boredom at bay. For others, though, it’s a crucial contribution to their families’ limited resources and a way to break a cycle of low expectations.

Since 2010, Billy Davis, founder of A Positive Step of Monroe County, has coordinated the Idle Hands summer jobs program for low-income teens in Key West. A Positive Step of Monroe County works in various capacities with the highest-risk kids in Key West, working to break generational cycles of poverty, crime, lack of education, teen pregnancy and absent fathers.

Through the Idle Hands program, high school students ages 16 to 18 interview for and receive jobs working in various departments for the City of Key West. A two-week orientation precedes their first day of work and includes discussion with city officials about expectations, professional skills, work attire and communication.

Students in A Positive Step of Monroe County’s Idle Hands summer job program take steps toward the future during a job orientation session with city officials at Key West High School in June 2019.

“Some of these kids won’t be going away to college, so this program teaches them interview, resume and job skills that they wouldn’t get anywhere else,” Davis said. “They get a regular paycheck and make connections with a potential future employer. But unfortunately, the funding we’ve typically received from the city — $35,000 a year — has been canceled due to budget cutbacks, and we’re hoping the community will contact their commissioners to let them know how critical this program is for the teens.”

Idle Hands since 2010 has provided jobs with the city for 20 to 25 kids each summer.

“That’s 25 kids who were introduced to the workforce, who earned a bi-weekly paycheck, who had less time to get in trouble because they were busy working, and who were able to help their families by buying their own clothes or school supplies,” Davis said.

The city has historically contributed $35,000 to the program, while David raises another $35,000 from private donations, Rotary clubs and the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. But without the city’s contribution for summer 2021, the program cannot survive, he said.

The $70,000 is used to pay the students for their six-hour work days throughout the summer and also funds one facilitator or “job coach,” who keeps up with each student and their supervisor to prevent or address any issues that may arise. 

Davis is seeking the community’s support for the program and is asking residents to contact Mayor Teri Johnston and their city commissioners, who could direct the city manager to restore funding for the Idle Hands program.

Curtis Knowles, left, a 2019 Idle Hands Summer Youth employment participant, receives a paycheck from A Positive Step founder and executive director Billy Davis, right, in the office of retired City Manager Jim Scholl, center.
Jemima JeanBaptiste, right, stands in front of the Key West Police station with fellow Idle Hands participant Laura Theodore, left, in 2019.

Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.