Baltimore Hosts First Annual YouthWorks “Race for Work”
Fundraiser for Youth Summer Jobs

BALTIMORE – Mayor Martin O’Malley announced today that Baltimore is hosting its first annual Race for Work, a three-mile race and one-mile fun run or walk to raise money for the YouthWorks summer jobs program. This fundraiser will work toward the city’s goal of raising funds and finding jobs for 5,500 young people this summer. Race for Work will be held on Sunday, May 22, 2005, at Druid Hill Park. The three-mile race begins at 8 a.m. and the one-mile fun run/walk begins at 8:30 a.m. For more information or to obtain a Race for Work registration packet, please call 410-396-JOBS (5627).

Schools and families are encouraged to participate in this family, fun-filled event by signing up as teams. There will be prizes awarded for the top school and top family teams as well as for top individual finishers who participate in the Race for Work through beautiful, scenic Druid Hill Park.

“Summer jobs programs like YouthWorks help create jobs at a reasonable cost, prevent delinquency, improve students' literacy and work skills, and increase levels of public service,” said Mayor O'Malley. “Businesses that invest in YouthWorks are not only investing in one child or one job, they are investing in all of our children and in the future of our city. As a result, I encourage all area businesses, foundations, organizations and individuals to help the City of Baltimore put our young people to work this summer.”

The YouthWorks annual summer jobs program is sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board Youth Council and other workforce partners, and connects young people ages 14 to 21 to public and private sector employment. Youth age 16 and older must complete work readiness training or be certified by their schools as “work ready” before participating in the annual YouthWorks Career Fair. Students are hired by local businesses or they can work for a nonprofit community organization or city agency on projects that improve Baltimore’s quality of life. Each $1,000 donation supports a six-week summer job for a local youth at a local nonprofit or government agency.

“Summer jobs are an important factor in the long-term success of our youth,” said Karen Sitnick, director of the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development. “Summer jobs build career skills, inspire educational excellence, provide exposure to career options and keep young people safe and productive during the summer months.”

YouthWorks participants work in a variety of settings, including local hotels, restaurants, catering establishments, tourist attractions, health institutions, day care centers, recreation facilities, summer camps, retail stores, financial services companies and more.

“Now more than ever, Baltimore’s youth are ready to work,” said James Hamlin, YouthWorks Chair. “Our young people are eager to gain valuable life skills that prepare them for the future and they deserve an opportunity to work toward fulfilling their life goals and dreams.”

“The whole YouthWorks experience is designed to foster pride and commitment. Young people value their first work experiences and the life experiences they gain from working,” said Alice Cole, director of career development services for the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development.

YouthWorks Race for Work corporate and agency partners include Whiting-Turner, The Johns Hopkins Health System, Radio One and Baltimore City agencies, including the Departments of Recreation and Parks, Public Works, Health, Police, Fire and Public Schools.

The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development provides a direct connection to student services and education for in-school and out-of-school youth ages 14 to 21 by linking them to academic support and career development opportunities. Youth services and programs available to Baltimore City teens through MOED’s many partnerships include the YouthWorks summer jobs program; Youth Opportunity for young people residing in Baltimore’s Empowerment Zone communities; the FUTURES year-round dropout prevention program with Baltimore City Public Schools; and the Academy for College and Career Exploration (ACCE), a new “innovation high school” operated by MOED and the Sar Levitan Center at The Johns Hopkins University Institute for Policy Studies.

In addition, through the U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development awards grants to nonprofit organizations for youth development programs in Baltimore city. MOED’s youth development partners provide education, career exploration and training for in-school and out-of-school youth through the Career Academy at Harbor High School, Bon Secours Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Program, Healthcare Careers Alliance, the South Baltimore Career Center, and the Youth Empowerment Program at the Baltimore City Community College Harbor Campus.

For more information about supporting YouthWorks 2005 and the Race for Work, please call 410-396-JOBS (5627), email youthcareers@oedworks.com, or visit www.charmcityrun.com.