In a trying economic climate, many skilled workers are struggling to find jobs. The task of finding quality, part-time or seasonal employment can be near impossible for teens with little work experience.

Now, the Charles Stewart Mott foundation is stepping up to help more than 400 teens in the Genesee County, Michigan, area find summer jobs. The foundation awarded $800,000 to the Genesee Area Focus fund - a nonprofit arm of the regional chamber of commerce.

Thanks to the grant, teens will be placed at 20 nonprofit agencies and businesses in the community for summer employment through the Summer Youth Initiative. Part of the funds will also be put toward TeenQuest - an afterschool program that teaches pre-employment and leadership skills to high school kids.

"Developing strong work, life and interpersonal skills is key to the future success of young people and, in turn, their communities," said Neal Hegarty, director of Mott's Flint Area Program. This may be particularly true in Michigan as a Forbes study shows the state was one of the hardest hit by the economy.

Organization leaders may consider allocating some of their nonprofit fundraising toward initiatives to establish strong work ethics in teens and overturn local unemployment rates. Additionally, KidSource.com says studies indicate partial employment makes high school students more viable candidates in the college application process.