Fourteen students will learn the value of a hard day’s worth of work this summer.

The town’s Summer Youth Jobs Program launched Monday, which provides those students with spending money and Wareham with additional labor to maintain town buildings and beautify the community.

“It’s really a way to get the youth involved in the community,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood. “It gives our youth an opportunity to earn money for the summer and it teaches them the importance of a work ethic.”

Shaver-Hood leads the program that provides students with jobs that pay $10 per hour. Students will work 20 hours a week now until Aug. 19. Town Administrator Derek Sullivan initially proposed the program in 2014. It was funded with $50,000 that was approved at the October 2015 Town Meeting. Although the money was allocated, Sullivan said additional grant money is needed to keep the program going.

A grant from A.D. Makepeace for the project did not come through as hoped, he said.

“Not receiving the grant was particularly difficult as the money provided by Town Meeting was a one-time grant, and we will need grants to keep the program going into future years,” said Sullivan.

For now, Shaver-Hood said the project will benefit the town and the students.

Tasks will include cleaning up trash and handing out “carry in -carry out” bags at beaches.

Other projects will take place at organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Wareham.

“Right now, we’re starting the program small, and the hope is that it continues,”said Shaver-Hood. “As we look to next summer, we would love to have additional funding so we could employ more students.”