The Selma Times-Journal

More than 100 Selma youth may know Tuesday whether they have won the lottery. They won’t win millions, but the opportunities may mean more than that.

The theme for this year’s summer employment program is “Youth At Work.” Just like the lotto, “you have to be in it to win it,” and the deadline to apply has past, city officials said.

Val Jones, City of Selma human resources director, said she has received assurances from another employer offering 10 summer jobs to area youths and the number of young people hired could increase.

Even if the number doubled there won’t be enough summer jobs for all of the more than 300 applicants.

Councilwoman Jean Martin encouraged parents to come to Tuesday’s City Council Meeting at 5 p.m. for the drawing. Applicants will be placed in a barrel, and 110 names will be drawn to fill the opportunities.

“They’ll be able to see how it’s conducted,” Martin said. “Parents will see that it’s fair.”

Jones said the summer program is from June 11 to July 20.

Youths will work 16 hours per week and earn $5.25 an hour.

“The monetary contribution required to sponsor each youth is $543,” Jones said. “A minimum of 100 positions will be created from the $50,000 contributed by the city council and any other additional contributions received from local sponsors.”

Jones said this is the first time her office has implemented the program, and they hope to eliminate suspicion of “playing favorites” by publicizing the drawing.

“We have no way to know who is going to be selected,” Jones said. “These are training opportunities and the young people will be placed in a variety of positions.” Some are within city government and some may be in private businesses or nonprofit agencies.