So you want your snow shoveled whenever there’s more than a dusting, or you need someone to babysit the kids for that occasional evening out. If you live within the Byron-Bergen school district, you’re in luck. The Gillam Grant Community Center runs a Teen Employment Service that connects ambitious teens with paying customers.

About 100 teens are enrolled in the service, which has been in place for a number of years. Fourteen to 18 year-olds fill out an application listing their two top job preferences – babysitting, snow shoveling, lawn mowing, gardening, painting, house cleaning, meal preparation. They also write a paragraph describing their qualifications - work experiences and relevant training.

Potential clients call the center (clients must be within the geographic boundaries of the Byron-Bergen School District) and receive a list of names. It is up to the client and the teen to negotiate pay, hours, transportation and other issues.

Parents are urged to be involved, at least initially, to be sure that the teen is entering a safe and appropriate situation. "We do keep records but we don’t screen residents looking for teenage help," program director Bill Ferris said. "However, because this is a small community, we often do know who the customer is."

About 300 referrals are made each year. Some local businesses use the service, although most of the placements are for less formal situations. Ferris said that at least a couple of teens have become two or three afternoons per week aides to elderly citizens. "They do some light cleaning, meal preparation and other chores."

The Teen Employment Service is supported by the New York State Division of Youth, the Town of Byron, the Town of Bergen and the Village of Bergen. The Gillam Grant Center provides direction and leadership. For information call 494-1621.