YouthWorks Campaign Making Progress but Support Still Needed to Meet Summer Jobs Demand 
Teens interview with employers at Career Fair; Nonprofit Kaiser Permanente Foundation Mid-Atlantic donates $10,000, but gap remains between number of youth registered for summer jobs and number of jobs identified

Baltimore, Maryland - Summer was in the air today at M&T Bank Stadium as more than 500 Baltimore City youth interviewed for summer job positions with more than 70 employers at the YouthWorks Career Fair. These youth are part of the more than 6,500 teens that are expected to begin their job experiences on June 23, 2008.

While the YouthWorks campaign is making progress soliciting financial contributions and commitments to hire teens directly, presently more teens have registered than the number of summer jobs currently identified. However, there is still time for all interested groups and individuals to show support for the summer jobs program.

The business community has shown steady support as evidenced by the contribution today by the Nonprofit Kaiser Permanente Foundation Mid-Atlantic that presented a $10,000 check to support YouthWorks during a brief ceremony at the fair.

"Kaiser Permanente believes in creating opportunities for young people to learn and grow,” said Derek Barnett, director, Community Benefit. “The YouthWorks program will help open doors for Baltimore's youth. That's why we're pleased to be able to support it."  

On hand to accept the check on behalf of YouthWorks was Deputy Mayor Salima Siler Marriott who also offered words of appreciation to those who have contributed and encouragement for more businesses and community groups to support this worthwhile program that benefits youth, as well as employers.

"We are grateful for Kaiser Permanente and countless others who are supporting our young people this summer,” said Deputy Mayor Marriott. “YouthWorks is one of Mayor’s Dixon’s top priorities. These summer jobs will teach our young people the value of work and the skills that employers require.”

The YouthWorks Career Fair is a feature of Mayor Sheila Dixon’s summer jobs program, which provides six-week employment opportunities for Baltimore City youth, ages 14 to 21. Mayor Dixon has identified YouthWorks as one of her administration’s top initiatives with the intention of increasing the number of participating youth to 6,500 in 2008. Federal funding that used to provide stand-alone funds for summer jobs no longer exists, causing Mayor Dixon to launch the YouthWorks Summer Jobs are Everyone’s Business campaign and ask for support from employers, community organizations, foundations, the faith-based community, educators, and state and city agencies.

The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) has taken the lead with Baltimore City businesses, asking that they be more involved than in past years by making donations and identifying positions for hire during the summer. Many of these businesses were on-hand at the career fair interviewing older youth who recently completed a one-week job readiness training. Private sector companies, such as UPS, ESPN Zone, Target, and the Renaissance Hotel were present, as well as the Baltimore City Health Department, the Maryland Department of Education, and Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, representing government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

"I think that there are few things more positive that a business could do than to participate in this program,” said GBC President & CEO Donald C. Fry. “I urge all businesses themselves to make a highly positive choice and support the YouthWorks initiative. It will benefit our city's young people and our community's future."

The youth attending the fair were well-prepared, multi-skilled, and dependable high school and college students who are eager to work. While YouthWorks benefits youth by allowing them to explore careers and better understand the value of education, it also enriches businesses by giving them access to a talented and energetic labor pool of motivated workers.

Employers who did not attend the Career Fair, but are interested in hiring YouthWorks participants, can still have their employment needs met in time for the summer jobs program – June 23, 2008 through August 1, 2008 – by contacting the YouthWorks office at 410-396-6722.

It costs $1250 to support a youth in a six-week work experience. There is still time to help close the gap between the number of city youth eager to work and available job opportunities.

Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to:

Baltimore City Foundation/YouthWorks
c/o Mayor’s Office of Employment Development
101 W. 24th Street
Baltimore, MD 21218 

For more information about YouthWorks, call 410-396-6722 or visit www.oedworks.com.