Mayor Brown Kicks Off 2008 Summer Youth Employment Program

Mayor Byron W. Brown today called upon city businesses, not-for-profit and faith-based organizations to join him in his continuing goal of providing employment opportunities this summer to youth in the City of Buffalo through the Mayor’s 2008 Summer Youth Employment program.

“Over the past two years, we have partnered with private sector companies, not-for-profit groups and faith-based organizations to strengthen the workplace skills of our city youth,” said Mayor Brown.  “Through this effort, we have established a good platform to properly prepare our youth for current and future employment opportunities. This program helps achieve that outcome by first providing them with basic workplace skills and then assisting them in obtaining summer employment that provides opportunities to learn and grow.”

Last summer, the Brown Administration placed 2,536 city youth between the ages of 14-24 into employment with local businesses, as well as not-for-profit and faith-based organizations.

“In my first two years as Mayor, and with the community’s help, we have put over 4,300 city youth to work,” said Mayor Brown. “This outcome demonstrates that local businesses, not-for-profit groups and faith-based organizations are responding to our call to help provide meaningful employment opportunities for city youth and I look forward this coming summer to maintaining the positive momentum created by this truly collaborative effort.”

Private sector businesses can participate in the Mayor’s Summer Employment Program by hiring youth who have submitted applications with Mayor’s Program. Those businesses that hire city youth may also be eligible for tax credits. If a business or any individual would like to sponsor a youth for the summer employment opportunity, they may do so through the Mayor’s Fund to Advance Buffalo. Not-for-profit and faith-based organizations can also participate by providing a structured and supervised work environment for the summer and, through sponsorship and donations, the City of Buffalo will subsidize the wages of youth employed in these areas.

Young people between the ages of 14-21 will be employed for 5-6 weeks in the summer with the majority working from July 7th – August 15th. Each participant will be screened, assessed and receive training in the following areas: job readiness, life skills and financial literacy.  The City of Buffalo’s Division for Youth will provide youth counselors who will serve as monitors and provide program support for everyone participating in the program.

The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, May 30, 2008. Youth interested in applying for Summer Jobs can pick up an application at the Buffalo Employment and Training Center located at 77 Goodell Street or in room 2301 in City Hall.

To be eligible for this program you must be a City of Buffalo resident between the ages of 14 and 21 and you must turn age 14 by May 31, 2008.

In order to determine your eligibility for the Mayor’s 2008 Summer Youth Employment program, the following items must be documented and returned with your completed application to Room 1701 in City Hall:

• Working Papers for all youth under age 18 
     -Ages 14-15  (Blue Card) 
     -Ages 16-17  (Green Card)
• Birth Certificate
• Proof of Buffalo Residency (Utility Bills, Lease Agreement) 
•  Family Income
• Social Security Card
• Attending School (Most recent School Report Card or Transcript)