Rudy Ibarra wanted a job in which he could help people.

He needed help himself just a few weeks ago.

Ibarra, 21, was living in his car and going a day or two without eating after he was evicted from his Edinburg apartment for falling behind on his rent, he recalled Tuesday. With the job market for migrant farm labor seemingly dried up amid the lingering recession, he was unable to find employment and was missing payment due dates for his bills.

After he was evicted, Ibarra sent his wife and two sons to live with his parents in Rio Grande City and spent a week living in his car. Late last week he turned to Workforce Solutions for help.

The workforce development board serving Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties, the agency set Ibarra up with a job at Goodwill Industries because he told them he wanted to help people, he said. Since Monday, Ibarra - who has a hotel room and is resolving his rent issue with his landlord - has spent his days stocking shelves at Goodwill through a program funded by the federal government.

He is one of 600 people ages 16-24 in the tri-county region who found work through the federal economic stimulus package.

Another 1,400 jobs in Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties will be available through the end of the month in a variety of industries.

Ibarra, who wants to finish the electrical technician training he started several months ago, said he was initially afraid to go to Workforce Solutions.

"I was embarrassed," he said. "I got the courage to ask them for help and was just amazed with the help I got."

Nearly $10 million was allocated to the Rio Grande Valley to help 2,000 people find temporary work that matches their interests and career goals and may lead to long-term employment, said Bonnie Gonzalez, Workforce Solutions' chief executive officer.

Eligible youth must meet the income requirement and have a barrier to employment, such as being homeless or lacking a high school diploma, must or be in training for other careers.

Gonzalez said the program, which pays the worker's salary, gives youth access to jobs that increase their employability and skills once the temporary work ends.

Employment is offered in a variety of sectors, including more than 30 jobs with the county to help familiarize youth with government work, said Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas. The goal isn't only to give youth a little extra cash for the summer - nearly all the jobs pay minimum wage - but to place them into positions that familiarize them with their industry of choice.

Mairelle Castillo, 19, started this week with her new job as an administrative assistant at United Blood Services with the dream of going to nursing school.

Castillo, who is completing the requirements to obtain her general equivalency diploma, said she would use her summer job to get a taste of the health industry.

"It's in the field that I want to go into," she said. "I hope it leads to something."

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 Jared Janes covers Hidalgo County government, Edinburg and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4424.

To Apply: Visit the Workforce Solutions office at 1100 E. Business 83, Pharr, or call (877) 687-1121. Bring photo identification, your birth certificate, your Social Security Card and proof of household income.