A young person’s first paid job can be a crucial developmental experience, ideally providing a safe and supported entry into the world of work as well as significant insight into one’s strengths, weaknesses, interests, and ambitions. Since 1963, New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) has connected generations of New Yorkers to their first job. Over the past several years, enrollment in the program has nearly doubled to 60,000 participants annually, allowing it to positively affect the lives of many more local youth, particularly youth from low-income families and communities with fewer work opportunities, for whom the program plays a vital role in ensuring they receive the experience, skills, and compensation to advance toward adulthood and successful careers. As part of the City’s continued investment in these programs, Mayor de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito commissioned the Youth Employment Task Force to assess the key areas for growth and improvement in SYEP. Through research, analysis, and conversations with dozens of stakeholders, the Task Force has developed a set of proposals that provide a clear direction for the future of these programs, as outlined in this report.
HERE to HERE supports this work and research, and champions the efforts of our city and government partners to increase access to vital youth programs like the Summer Youth Employment Program.
Download Youth-Employment-Taskforce-Report.pdf