LEBANON - Community Services Consortium put 345 young people to work in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties this summer due to funding from the Federal Recovery Act.

Stimulus funding supported 97 jobs in the Albany area, 93 in Corvallis, 75 in Lebanon and 80 throughout Lincoln County.

The public is invited to meet the young people who worked on this summer's projects from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday at The River Center, 3000 S. Santiam Highway, Lebanon. Photos from projects including the Youth House Community Garden, Cheadle Lake, trail restoration and weatherization crews and others will be shared.

"Our crews have worked hard this summer. They've worked in the extreme heat under houses and on wooded trails," said Sharee Cooper, CSC operations manager. "Our youth have accomplished amazing work and have benefited people in need in our communities."

Earned wages and incentives from youth employment contribute to the local economy. CSC's stimulus dollars were also spent in communities to purchase work equipment, hire project instructors, provide training for the unemployed and contribute in a variety of ways to preserving the environment and improving the regional economy.

CSC Youth Employment Crews are completing projects identified as areas of community need. Partner agencies include city parks and recreation departments, the Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, local watershed councils and local schools, rural towns, Oregon State Parks and U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

For more information on Summer Youth Work Experience and other CSC services, visit www.csc.gen.or.us.

Democrat-Herald