New Orleans, LA— Mayor Landrieu today helped kick off the 2010 Mayor’s Summer Youth Program aimed at giving 14-24 year-old New Orleanians opportunities for jobs this summer. The Summer Youth Program is organized by the city’s Office of Workforce Development.
“Among the greatest gifts we can give our youth is an opportunity to grow and learn-- a hand up rather than a hand out,” said Landrieu. “This program is about investing in our young people, and giving opportunities for young people to work this summer can be instrumental in our efforts to fight crime.”
Over 100 New Orleans companies offered 1,020 positions for a range of jobs. The eight-week program runs from June 7 to July 29 and includes three categories: a “work and learn” component for 14-15 year olds that offer literacy and math activities, skill building, career exploration, and work readiness training; an internship component that offers career exposure and connections to public and private sector employers; and a work-only component at pre-designated worksites throughout the metropolitan area.
"This summer initiative is about giving our youth an opportunity to explore career options through real-life work experiences. They will learn the importance of maintaining professionalism and excellence in the workplace,” said Bryan Moore, Director of Workforce Development for the City of New Orleans. “We will not rest until we see the day that every young person in this city has an opportunity to have a wonderful summer experience while earning a few bucks."
1788 youths applied for those positions, so a lottery was instituted to select the participants.
“Having the opportunity to work with people of all backgrounds was great preparation for my college and law school experience, and being part of the Summer Youth Program really allowed me to reach my highest potential,” noted Mykell Clem, a law student and former program participant.
Enrollment in the program comes at no cost to the employer, as the City funds the program with approximately $1.4 million from the Workforce Investment Act, the American Recovery & Responsibility Act, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The program also receives administrative support from Goodwill Industries.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to offer employment to young people as a part of this program, too bad it’s just for the summer,” said Anthony Bean, founder and artistic director of Anthony Bean Theater and an employer participant in the program. “This kind of investment is too important.”
“We are thankful to all of our employer partners who appreciate the significance of providing opportunities for youth. Our Summer Youth Program is a great example of how the public and private sector can work together to better our community and is a model of how we can be transforming the streets of New Orleans into those of hope and opportunity,” Landrieu concluded.
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