PORTLAND, Ore. -- Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of economic stimulus money is on its way to Portland to help disadvantaged kids.

An alternative high school and career training program for young people may receive as much as $350,000 to help 16 to 25 year olds.

The money means teens and young adults who probably wouldn't have jobs this summer can earn thousands of dollars while getting career training.

Operated through the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center in North Portland, more than 100 young people will be able to earn anywhere from $2,500 to $3,200 through paid internships.

The POIC is looking for local employers or business people who are willing to take on interns and give them training while the POIC pays the worker.

The president of the organization, Joe McFerrin, said POIC wants to partner with about two dozen more employers who are willing to help out with the program. McFerrin said the best thing is the internships cost employers very little financially.

"The good thing is that we're the employer on record. So we take care of the insurance, the liability, we also take care of paying the young person a wage," McFerrin said.

McFerrin said employers who want to be part of the internship program and help out a young person should contact the POIC in northeast Portland.

Stimulus Money To Help Youth Get Summer Jobs