BEACON, N.Y. — A nonprofit and the City of Beacon are working together to offer job opportunities for local teens.

Family Services' Summer Youth Employment Program is accepting applications from those between the ages of 14 and 19 who live in the city.

The program is geared toward teens from low-income families.

Family Services has received a Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board grant and money from the city's budget to pay 24 children part-time to work at different stores in the area for nearly two months.

Organizers say sometimes businesses are hesitant to hire young people, but this program is meant to make it easier for both worker and employer. 

"We're going to be the host employer and we're going to take all this responsibility and alleviate that risk factor or that fear that business might have. And then all of a sudden they turn around ending up loving the youth and end up actually employing them after the fact," said Family Services Youth Services Coordinator Jessica Wallach.

Families can still apply to have their child be part of the program. Organization leaders are aiming to start orientation on Monday.