SHARONVILLE — Stuart Frazier arrived early, showed his ID, collected his registration forms and took a seat at a long table in the school gymnasium.

        “I'm pretty much open for anything, something I can have fun with,” said Mr. Frazier, 19, who lives in College Hill and drove to Princeton Junior High School Saturday morning.

Donna Jackson, 16, of Mount Airy signs in at the Youth Employment Initiative registration at Princeton Junior High School. ( Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        “Just something to give me some money.”

        Mr. Frazier was among more than two dozen young people who came to the school early to register for the Youth Employment Initiative, a collaborative effort among city, business and civic agencies to help find summer employment for youths in the Greater Cincinnati area.

        Marsha Watts, vice president of work force development for the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, said organizers expected about 200 youths to register at the junior high. Youths could also register at three other schools Saturday — Western Hills and Taft high schools and Sycamore Junior High.

        “The number of jobs is going to be dependent on what the business community is able to offer,” Ms. Watts said. “If they can offer 2,000 jobs, we can put 2,000 up.”

        The goal is to find jobs for 2,400 people ages 14 to 22. Sponsors say they have commitments of about $700,000 of the $2 million they estimate will be required.

        Youths at Princeton Junior High Saturday said they had no specific jobs in mind. Instead, they looked at it as opportunity to put some spending money in their pockets.

        Some have worked before.

        Mr. Frazier, who graduated from La Salle High School, has worked in an office and at the cinemas at Forest Fair Mall. Donna Jackson, 16, of Mount Airy, has worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken.

        Bonita Guerrant of Bond Hill brought her daughter, Tikeitha Guerrant, 19, a student at Hampton (Va.) University, to register. Tikeitha said she was looking for a job to help pay for school.

        “And stay out of my pocket,” said her mother, laughing.

        Those unable to attend Saturday's sessions can register at the Urban League offices, 3458 Reading Road, Avondale. Registration is 5-7 p.m. March 25-28.

Baptists cancel Cincinnati gathering
Boycott coalition sues arts group
Civil rights leaders show support for boycott
Sharpton backs boycott in city
School, housing plans don't always mesh
Closing worries Carthage
School plans by neighborhood
Six killed on return to campus
Abuse crisis casts shadow across priesthood
Arrest made in 6 area bank holdups
Celtic groups take stage at museum center
Cleanup fund would speed Norwood development
Hate crime not same as federal crime
Pamphlets to exhibit positive city image
Parents group huddles on schools
Police still looking for suspect in shooting
Shuttlesworth honored for life's march
Tristate A.M. Report
Youths looking for jobs
BRONSON: Second opinion
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Court to rule
Some nurses get OK to prescribe
Spread of meth labs, use surge across Midwest
'Talking books' maker goes digital