Submitted by Summer Walton, HKYFS
(September 19, 2026) — Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services (HKYFS) is connecting local teens with community members who need an extra hand through its Job Bank program.
The HKYFS Job Bank was created to provide young people with opportunities to gain valuable work experience, build responsibility and independence, earn money, or complete community service hours while helping others in their community. HKYFS serves as a referral service, helping connect the right teen with the right opportunity. Once a match is made, HKYFS will contact the teen to guide them through contacting their match. The teen will reach out directly to the community members, discuss the job, develop a plan, and work together to get the job done. Once the referral has been made, HKYFS plays no further role, and the working relationship is between the teen, their caregiver, and the community member in need.
For local youth, the Job Bank is a great starting point for finding age-appropriate jobs and service opportunities. HKYFS recognizes that teens have busy schedules with sports or after-school activities, which is why the Job Bank is a great place to find part-time jobs that fit into their lives. Teens can connect with community members who are looking for assistance with tasks such as yard work, organizing, pet care, light household projects, technology help, or other appropriate jobs and services. Quite often these are one-time or short-term opportunities.
The program also provides an opportunity for students who need community service hours to give back locally. Rather than simply completing hours for a requirement, students can make a meaningful difference by assisting a neighbor, senior citizen, family, or another community member who could use some extra support. The Job Bank isn’t just for young people looking for work. It is also a resource for adults and families in the community who need assistance at home.
There are times when a simple task can become difficult because of age, mobility, a busy schedule, or other circumstances. The cost of hiring someone for even a small job can also be a barrier for some families. Through the Job Bank, community members can reach out to see if a local teen is available and interested in helping. For those who may not be able to afford paid assistance, the Job Bank can still provide an avenue to find a teen looking to complete community service hours. Community members can submit their needs and connect with youth who are interested in volunteering their time.
The Job Bank also gives teens an opportunity to learn important life skills, including communication, punctuality, professionalism, problem solving, responsibility, and working with different members of the community. These are experiences that can help prepare young people for future employment and adulthood. When a teen applies to the Job Bank, Summer Walton, the Positive Youth Development Coordinator, works with the teens and their parents/guardians to go over the skills needed before they reach out to the community member they are matched with.
If you are a local organization looking for volunteer help, please keep utilizing the Community Service Page of our website. This service offers an opportunity for you to list your events and needs so that HK youth can easily learn more about how they can get involved and earn community service hours. HKYFS and Haddam-Killingworth High School share that information on a regular basis with youth and caregivers. The HKYFS Job Bank is intended to connect teens with individuals who are offering local jobs.
Whether a teenager is looking for their first neighborhood job, needs community service hours, or simply wants to help others, the HKYFS Job Bank offers a way to get involved. And whether a community member needs help with a project, has a job they would like a teen to complete, or could use some assistance but cannot afford to hire someone, the Job Bank may be able to make that connection. HKYFS cannot guarantee that a teen is available for work or service at any given time, but will keep your name on a list for a potential match.
Community members and local youth interested in learning more about the HKYFS Job Bank are encouraged to follow this link: https://hkyfs.org/job-bank/
For community members who do not have access to a computer or have difficulty with technology, please reach out to Summer Walton at summer.walton@hkyfs.org or 860-345-7498 to join the Job Bank.
