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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is helping teens and young adults find work in El Paso and Teller Counties.

The Recovery Act is giving counties across the country money to pay the wages of teens and young adults getting summer work experience.

El Paso and Teller Counties received $1.4 million.

That money will be used to help up to 300 disadvantaged or at-risk youths ages 16-24.

Joe Lavorini graduated college in December with a degree in Geography and Environmental Studies, but this economy is leaving teens and young adults like him without a way to start their career.

"We have a lot of adults that are out of jobs. So, we are finding a lot of adults are taking youth jobs," said Michelle Graham, Pikes Peak Workforce.

"I went through about four months of looking for employment and maybe one or two callbacks. As far as finding a position in my field, it was not a great time to graduate," Lavorini said.

Then, Lavorini heard about this summer program funded by the Recovery Act.

"It was great timing for me," Lavorini said.

Essentially, the $1.4 million will allow Lavorini to get a paid work experience and the company he's working for to get free labor.

"This most definitely allows some youth to get jobs in businesses they may not have otherwise been offered," said Adah Macindo, Workout Ltd.

That is the case for Lavorini's employer, Conservation Hardware, a brand new nonprofit organization.

"Probably starting it up in the worst economy you can imagine. So, for us to have someone's salary paid for for four months is incredible," said owner Richard Skorman.

It's a temporary position that creates lasting experience for Lavorini.

The workforce center has only placed a little more than 100 teens and young adults, leaving room for about 200 more.

The program will continue through the end of September.

If you are interested in this program, or other similar programs that help teens and young adults find jobs, call the Pikes Peak Workforce Center at 719-667-3700. The center is located at 2306 W. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs.