NJ’s Largest Summer Youth Job Program To Employ 3000 In Newark – Patch

NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey’s “largest summer youth employment program” is returning to Newark with an ambitious goal this year: 3,000 jobs.

On Wednesday, city officials, employers, sponsors and local teens gathered at a kickoff for the 2022 Newark Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).

Here’s how it works, according to the office of Mayor Ras Baraka:

“The SYEP’s intended overall impact is to increase young people’s success in obtaining gainful employment and breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty, allowing their families to become financially stable and their communities to build wealth. For six weeks between July and August, up to 3,000 Newarkers aged 14 to 24 are offered an opportunity for learning and employment experiences that will provide on-ramps to their future career goals. Our multi-faceted approach helps participants identify their strengths and assets, learn about different career pathways, and make informed and personalized decisions on their road to success in today’s workforce.”

Through the program, young people can benefit from a combination of career exploration, financial empowerment, workplace readiness training, paid work experiences, mentoring and coaching.

They can also put a few well-deserved bucks into their pockets, officials say. Participants typically earn between $13.50 and $15 per hour and see a workweek that runs from 16 to 26 hours.

Applications typically open in the early part of the year, and are now closed for 2022, a city spokesperson told Patch. Anyone interested in the program can learn more here.

Officials said the Newark SYEP has almost 100 program partners, who hail from the university and business communities, nonprofit organizations and city government departments. These include the Gem Project, the Exponentially Well Institute, Student Dream, OppNet Summer Science Research Program, United Parks as One, the City Planning Institute at Westside High School, Jersey Cares, Yendor Murals, Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark Police Explorers, Essex County College Pre-College Readiness, Seton Hall, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers University – Newark, Abbott Leadership Institute, Schools that Can, Newark Emergency Services for Families, Newark Makerhoods, Level Fields Consulting, Programs for Parents, Panasonic, SHE Wins, Inc., NJ Health Care Employers – District 1199J, the Clubhouse, Greater Newark Conservancy.

According to Baraka, the program is powered by a blend of city, state and private funding. This year, the program saw nearly $2.5 million in grant funding from AT&T; Bank of America; Capital One; Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund; Citi Foundation; Edison Properties Newark Foundation; Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey through its charitable arm, the Horizon Foundation of New Jersey; JP Morgan Chase; M&T Bank; the Maher Charitable Foundation; the MCJ Amelior Foundation; the Prudential Foundation; the PSEG Foundation; RWJ Barnabas Health; Santander; the State of New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development; the TD Charitable Foundation; Victoria Foundation; and Wells Fargo.

This year’s effort also saw a $150,000 contribution from JPMorgan Chase. Read More: $150K Announced For Newark Summer Youth Employment Program

Baraka said that since he took office, the SYEP has tripled its enrollment, making it the largest such program in New Jersey.

“As a former SYEP participant, I’ve seen the program’s benefits firsthand, and am committed to investing in our youth every chance we can to prepare them to be the future leaders of this city,” the mayor said.

Other supporters of the popular program pushed for it during a news conference on Wednesday.

“Summer jobs are so much greater than just a paycheck – it is our opportunity to infuse work readiness, financial health, and time management into young people’s lives,” NewarkWORKS youth program director Marsha Armstrong said.

“Summer job experiences play an important role in helping young people achieve greater financial stability for themselves and their families,” agreed Brandee McHale, head of Citi Community Investing and Development and president of the Citi Foundation.