The Warren County Board of Supervisors is bringing back the Summer Work Enrichment Program for another year.

District 3 Supervisor Charles Selmon said the Board of Supervisors allocated $40,000 to fund approximately 25-30 employees.

“It’s going to benefit the youth,” he said. “We’re trying to expose the youth to county government, we want them to see how it works. We also want them to see how the world of work works.”

Another benefit for applicants is the opportunity to go through an interview process, Selmon said.

“The interview by itself is valuable,” he said. “We interview them as young adults, but at the same time, we expect adult reactions.”

Committee chair Cheryl Roland said last year the committee interviewed 79 applicants.

“We spend a lot of time trying to make them feel welcome,” she said. “Last year we found some who were nervous coming in, but it’s not an intimidating process, and we want them to feel enriched when they leave.”

Warren County Emergency Management Director John Elfer said his office has employed five people from the program over the last three years.

“We had very good kids,” he said. “They learned a lot about emergency management. It’s a good program.”

The county is limited by budget as to how many people it can hire each summer, but they are working on expanding the program by partnering with the private sector.

“We’re reaching out more,” Selmon said. “We’re trying to involve more people in the community. Several casinos have committed to hiring for the summer enrichment program.”

Youth selected for the program may be assigned to any offices overseen by the county, including tax assessor, tax collector, chancery clerk, emergency management, 911, the district attorney, the library or the sheriff’s office.

Students selected will work from June 13 to July 22 for 30 hours per week at $7.80 per hour.

The program is open to Warren County residents ages 16 to 23 enrolled or currently accepted to school with a grade point average of 2.5 on a 4 point scale.

Applications as well as two letters of recommendations are due May 20. Applications may be picked up and dropped off at the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.