Summer is here, and for many young people summer vacation means fun. But fun can turn to boredom if you happen to be young, jobless, and short on cash. That's where the Odd Job Squad (OJS) comes in - an advertising service for young people offering odd jobs services in their communities.

While it cannot offer the security of a regular summer job, the OJ Exchange helps young people earn money, gain work experience, gather job references, and put their skills to use in helping residents, organisations and businesses with odd jobs.

The OJ Exchange was introduced to the Bahamas by the Teen Economic Empowerment Network (T.E.E.N.), a group of teens who have come together to learn about investment principles, personal finance and entrepreneurship. The first edition of the OJS directory will be published in July and will list the services of approximately 20-30 young people, or as many as 90 service listings.

According to Keshelle Kerr, founder of the T.E.E.N. and chief executive of Creative Wealth Training, the OJS works like a newspaper's classified advertising section.

"Youth fill out a short application with a checklist of three services they can offer, such as babysitting, painting, or yard work," she says. "OJS coordinators enter their services into a special database, publish a services directory and distribute it freely throughout the community." Residents, organisations and businesses use the directory to contact and hire youth.

Any young person aged 13-21 can sign up for the Squad by picking up a brochure at locations throughout the island, calling (242) 376-9449 or via email at oddjobsquadbs@gmail.com.

"We anticipate having an online registration for the exchange very soon," said Ms Kerr. Two personal or work-related references and attendance at an orientation are required, and participants under 18 must obtain parental or guardian permission.

On Saturday, July 3, from 1am to 6pm, the Squad will be at the Mall at Marathon, with an information booth and registration forms for both youth and employers.

There will also be an orientation meeting for all jobbers and interested jobbers at the British Colonial Hilton on Sunday July 11, 2010, at 5pm. Parents, teens, youth leaders and the community at large is invited.

T.E.E.N. is a network of that focuses on areas such as financial literacy and entrepreneurial development, leadership and communication development, personal and professional development.

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