CAYIP flyer from @cayipcville on Instagram

  Are you a high schooler struggling to find a job during the school year? Are you looking to gain job experience and prepare for your future? Do you need more community service hours to impress your dream college? Lastly, are you looking to earn $15/ hour? I have the perfect opportunity for you! 

  If you’ve never heard of CAYIP, it’s very straightforward. CAYIP offers 14-to 21-year-olds an opportunity to kickstart their resume by providing them with a job. Even better, the job is usually tailored to YOUR interests. Yes, your interests! If you are a creative and crafty person, they will find you a job in that department. If you’re looking into thrifting and fashion, they’ll try their hardest to place you at a thrift store. They aim to assist youth in career exploration and give businesses some extra hands. It’s a win-win organization for both parties! CAYIP has school and summer sessions, opening the gates for students all year round. Even though the first Winter section is action, a second one is on the way! The Winter II session opens applications through January 6th and closes on January 17th. 

  Over the summer, I had the opportunity to participate in the CAYIP program. I was placed at Pikasso Swig, a local, woman-owned DIY Craft Bar in Downtown MalI. Despite living in Charlottesville my entire life, I had never heard of this place before. It was full of fun, crafty decorations. 

  Nevaeh Bell, a freshman at CHS, worked with me at Pikasso Swig during the summer. Before participating in CAYIP, she would’ve described herself as “incredibly shy.” She says, “CAYIP helped prepare me for situations that might happen in the workforce [and] showed me how to get through difficult situations in both school and work.” 

  When I asked Nevaeh about working at Pikasso, she said, “The atmosphere was always warm and welcoming. It was easy to create relationships with the employees and just have a great time. It was the best first-job anyone could have.” I asked Nevaeh if she would recommend CAYIP to CHS students and the answer was a simple and confident yes. 

Be on the lookout for CAYIP news on their official website and their Instagram page @cayipcville.