Atlanta Launches Third Year of Summer Youth Jobs Program

Atlanta business owners and alumni joined Mayor Andre Dickens this week as he kicked off the Summer Youth Jobs Program. This year is the third year that the program has existed and offers paid employment to young people aged 14 to 24.

Over the past two years, Atlanta officials report $10 million has been dedicated to the program to support salaries and benefits. Now, the city is looking for more businesses to step up and hire program participants. Atlanta Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Erica Long said this program is crucial to students’ education.

“The days of taking summer off are long gone,” she said. “We’re trying to keep our kids engaged and doing something productive. Today’s world demands this of our students. APS is proud to partner with the City of Atlanta to provide this excellent opportunity.

Long said this partnership aims to strengthen financial independence, professional experience, work ethic and networking skills. The city’s goal is to continue to grow the program to attract students from across the country.

So far, more than 5,000 students have registered, double the number at the same time last year. Cassipea Stith is an alumna of the program. She said the program helped her develop her professionalism and network with city leaders.

“Now it’s your turn, young one,” Stith said. “The reason this program is aimed at young people is because they need young minds to solve the complex problems in our society. You are all culture. So bring that to your internship this summer.

All students will earn at least $15 per hour during their six weeks of employment. Last year, students worked in 12 different city departments, including the mayor’s office.

Dickens said the program deters crime.

“We keep them busy with the summer youth employment program, and they earn money so they can buy clothes,” he said. “They can go to movies,” theme parks and other things that teenagers enjoy, without resorting to “other ways to get that money.”

Dickens said there was a significant reduction in youth homicides last year and the city hopes to repeat that downward trend this year.

This story comes to Rough Draft via a media partnership with GPB News.