The Life Changing Youth Summit feeds needy kids in Brownsville.
It provides a bit of down time for children during hot summer months.
Its workers teach healthy eating and how to battle bullying.
While some employees say they enjoy the job, their employer is not honoring their work.
"We're not getting paid,” said Martha Hinojosa, a full-time worker for the nonprofit.
Hinojosa’s contract confirms the Life Changing Youth Summit owes her $1,500.
"So, I have all these bills that are piling up,” said Hinojosa.
Hinojosa is not alone in her financial woes.
A Brownsville teen Action 4 News spoke with said she's owed $600.
She did not want to talk on camera, afraid of losing her job.
When Action 4 News contacted the Life Changing Youth Summit, we received the following statement:
“The Life Changing Youth Summit is responsible for generating various forms that are then submitted to the state for approval. Upon our review with the state we were informed that we did not have all necessary forms that the employees are responsible for providing. We have gone above and beyond by hiring additional staff to ensure that all paper work is completed. All employees will be compensated on or before August the 7th.”
Hinojosa disagreed.
She said employees were not shown how to fill out the forms.
"They would call us and say they were wrong, but they would not show us how to do it correctly,” said Hinojosa.
The company claimed employees were trained in this matter.
Their web site even touts the organization as a positive addition to the Brownsville economy, creating 66 new jobs per site.
Hinojosa wonders what good a job is without a paycheck.
Count on Action 4 News to follow up and report if employees are paid by August 7.
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