Some Young People Running Into Paycheck Problems With Job Program

Imagine going to work – and then not getting paid.

That’s exactly what’s been happening to a number of young people who got jobs through the Workforce Solutions summer youth program.

The program has successfully employed more than 4,000 young El Pasoans.

But some of them have fallen through the cracks and haven’t received their paychecks yet.

“We just paint it’s not that hard and we get paid pretty good,” said Angel Flores, one of the young people who’s received a job through the federally-funded program that gives employers free help while giving young people a paycheck.

Angel is one of eight working at Holy Spirit of Hope church in the Lower Valley.

Well, most have been receiving a paycheck.

Isela Cordova called ABC-7 after she quit her job with the Lower Valley church after not receiving a paycheck.

“We’ve had one student only whose had some difficulties, other than that they’ve all done pretty good,” Pastor Robert Ortega said.

Isela was working at the church daycare for two weeks and said she never received a paycheck.

“She was understandably frustrated. She said she had been to different places and received different stories and she was quite upset,” said Ortega.

Unfortunately, Workforce Solutions officials admits there have been about 30 young people who have had problems receiving their checks, but said many of them are due to missing documentation by the young employees.

Workforce Solutions stresses they must comply with certain regulations because they are dealing with federal fund, including signing time sheets and turning them in on time.

Ortega said he hopes once the check situation gets worked out, the young employee will return to work.

Workforce Solutions tells ABC-7 they are working to resolve all of the issues concerning the checks.

If you’re having problems receiving a check through Workforce Solutions you can call 887-2666.