The Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse has become a second home for Chubba Bullock.

"I'm cool with these people,” said Bullock, a Syracuse teenager. “I joke around with them every day. They're basically like friends, family."

It’s a place of comfort, but also growth for the 17-year-old.

He's been going to the Club for seven years and doesn't plan on leaving, especially with the new Junior Staff program that will give him his first job.

"Just interacting with the other kids and stuff like that,” said Bullock. “Or I can help out at the front desk."

The Central New York Community Foundation is funding this program to prepare at-risk teenagers.

"Syracuse has one of the highest poverty rates among cities across the U.S.,” said Frank Ridzi, the CNY Community Foundation Community Investment Vice President. “We further know that poverty is very concentrated in specific neighborhoods. In those neighborhoods, 40% of people are living in poverty, and what we really want to make sure is our youth have the opportunity to climb out of poverty."

The program is about 10 weeks long. Teens train for a position like referee, server or secretary, and then they'll be paid. But, the benefits go beyond the dollar.

"It's important for us to help them identify their skill set and identify a career path,” said Jeff Eysaman, the Boy and Girls Clubs of Syracuse executive director. “As far as mentoring, they're going to have the opportunity as a teenager to connect with the youth."

It also keeps them away from the violence.

"They are the future and if they can work together, they're going to be the ones to create the change that's needed in the city,” said Eysaman.

Bullock hopes to be the driving force behind that change.

"Helping kids that go through the struggle, or some of the things I go through because I know how it feels to be in that position and it's not good at all,” said Eysaman. “I want to make them feel some type of happiness. You don't want to just walk around Syracuse or anywhere just not being happy. That's not the way to live at all."

The goal is to have about 40 teenagers participate this year.

You must be a registered Club member, go to the club at least three times a week, in good academic standing, attend all training and have a signed parental consent form.