June 14, 2004
Mayor Urges Local Business to Help Provide Summer Jobs for District Young People
District Launches "Youth Champions" Partnership Campaign
(Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams is calling on local businesses to hire or sponsor summer jobs this year for more than 9,000 District young people.
In a press conference today at the headquarters of Verizon Washington, DC, Mayor Williams met with chief executives from Verizon, the Washington Metropolitan Council, AFL-CIO and other local employers to discuss the need for an additional 4,275 jobs for young people this summer. Mayor Williams also launched the Youth Champions Partnership Campaign, a component of the District’s Passport to Work Summer Youth Employment Program. This five-week program, which will run July 12 through August 13, currently has funds for employment for 5,000 young people.
“The DC summer jobs program is a terrific way for young people to gain experience working in the real world, and we need more local employers to help us make that happen,” Mayor Williams said. “Summer jobs help young workers get a glimpse of possible career options within the business community where they could ultimately find work as full-time employees.”
Last year, the DC Department of Employment Services placed 5,494 District young people in work-readiness programs and summer jobs with the assistance of the private sector and federal and District governments. This year, more than 9,000 young people aged 14 to 21 have registered for the Passport to Work Summer Youth Employment Program.
The District government has asked that businesses and government agencies hire or sponsor jobs for young people. Numerous companies and organizations already have stepped forward, including Verizon; Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering; Arnold and Porter; Best Buy/Small Business Resource Center; ExxonMobil; Integrated Asset Management; Guest Services; US State Department; DC Emergency Management Agency; US Department of Transportation; Bolling Air Force Base; and US Department of Agriculture.
Anthony A. Lewis, president of Verizon Washington, DC, said, “Verizon is truly honored to have participated in the development of this important partnership with the District. During the last ten years, we have invested over half a million dollars and provided summer jobs for more than 400 students. We again stand ready to assist our children who need us now more than ever before.”
At the press conference, several former summer program participants urged businesses and community organizations to invest in young people. Last summer, many young workers became mentors in academic enrichment programs, recreation aides, or educated the community in an emergency preparedness program. Many participants have since moved forward in their career exploration by pursuing a college education.
“Every city youth interested in working this summer should have that chance,” said Gregg Irish, director of the DC Department of Employment Services. “This program has opened doors to possible careers and training opportunities for thousands of youth. As a former summer youth participant many years ago, I know that summer employment really makes a difference.”
A donation of $1,000 will sponsor a young person’s work experience for the five-week program. Youth Champion donations should be made payable to the DC Treasurer and mailed to the DC Department of Employment Services; 64 New York Avenue, NE, Suite 3090; Washington, DC 20001. Sponsored workers will be placed in a nonprofit or public organization for the summer.
