Three weeks ago, Crystal Johnson, 20, didn’t know how to send a fax or operate a copy machine.

Takeya Skinner, 18, had never answered a phone call in a business environment before June 22.

However, Skinner, Johnson and 75 of their peers are developing their work and life skills in a work experience program hosted by the city of Suffolk.

“It’s about providing youth and young adults with opportunities to gain and enhance their skills, so that they can receive employment in the future,” said Lakita Frazier, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. “It provides a sense of stability, because a lot of young people wouldn’t have the opportunity to work in the city government.”

The program is funded by Opportunity, Inc. of Hampton Roads, which gave the city $150,000 to operate the program. The city used the money to hire a program administrator, who then hired 77 young people between the ages of 14 and 24.

Not just any young people could apply, though — to qualify, they had to be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, registered with the Selective Service if applicable, low income, and possessing one or more of the following barriers: basic skills deficient, school dropout, homeless, runaway, foster child, pregnant or parenting, offender or requiring assistance to complete an educational program or to secure and hold employment.

Several departments in the city signed up to house the workers, including parks and recreation, public utilities, tourism, media and community relations, capital buildings and programs, and others.

“It’s more than just a job, they’re actually learning the details,” Frazier said. One boy working with public works, for example, is learning which foliage to plant during the summer, how to paint lines on the road, and how to safely shut down portions of a road for construction projects.

Crystal Johnson said the program is helping her learn how to provide for her 1-year-old daughter.

“It’s a wonderful experience,” she said. “I get to work with my peers and adults who understand that everybody makes mistakes and are allowing us another chance to try and prosper.”

Johnson works in the parks and recreation’s planning department, assisting with scheduling appointments, making phone calls, scanning documents and looking up information. Johnson currently takes Microsoft classes with ITT Tech online, but never fully understood the information until she had to work with the programs on a daily basis.

“I thank the whole city of Suffolk for this opportunity,” she said. “It’s just a wonderful experience to give young people a chance to make a difference.”

Takeya Skinner heard about the program from a friend, and thought it would be a good way to make money before going to college this fall at St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville.

Skinner works with the media and community relations department, answering phone calls, directing people to the correct departments, greeting the public, making copies and scanning local newspapers for city-related articles. She also works in the video department.

“I love it,” she said. “I like working with the people.”

Skinner also said that the program is helping her develop a resume. The work readiness component — three hours each week — is a required part of the program for grant funding. The young people have been learning how to dress appropriately for the work environment, budget their earnings, write a check, fill out deposit slips, understand the use of credit and other essential tasks for adulthood.

The program has two divisions — one for 14- and 15-year-olds, and one for those ages 16-24. The younger workers are putting in 12 hours per week, and receiving weekly stipends of $100. The older ones work 35 hours per week, and receive an hourly wage of $7.25.

Skinner also said the program is an opportunity she never would have had if not for the grant.

“I just want to thank the city for doing this program, because if it wasn’t for them, I probably would be somewhere bored making bad mistakes, or something like that.”