Group puts refugee teens on the job

Their parents brought them to America in search of opportunity, and now their children are finding it — in warehouses, fast-food joints and even at the Waffle House. About 70 teenage refugees from countries such as Bosnia, Rwanda, Iraq and Vietnam have signed up for a program with the Decatur-based office of the International Rescue Committee that will help them find jobs for the summer and after school. The teens spent three Saturdays learning everything from interview skills to application tips to wardrobe advice, plus took English classes that focused exclusively on phrases needed at an interview or on the job, says Alyson Plotsky, the IRC’s youth employment coordinator.

“For all of them, it’s their first job in this country,” Plotsky says. “For some of them, it’s their first job ever.”

Since the program began in May, about 40 of the teens have found jobs, Plotsky says, including a group recently entered Waffle House group training, she says.

Finding the jobs isn’t always easy. Most teens don’t have cars. Some jobs require more English than the teens can muster. Some have religious or cultural requirements that preclude certain jobs.

And Plotsky says she keeps hearing from more and more teens wanting to enter the program. “They really want to help their families or they need money for school,” she says. “Lots of them have been knocking on my door, looking for jobs.”??