FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 27, 2012

CONTACTS: Brice Freeman, MOED, 410-396-1910, bfreeman@oedworks.com Ernest Dorsey, Youth Services, 410-396-6722, edorsey@oedworks.com

Mayor Rawlings-Blake Acknowledges Hire One Youth Businesses, Looks to Further their Engagement Hire One Youth Leadership Team Chair Don Fry joins Mayor in recognizing the success local employers have added to YouthWorks summer jobs program Baltimore, Maryland (July 27, 2012) – Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development hosted a “meet and greet” today for businesses and Hire One Youth employees at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. More than 100 non-municipal employers have provided funding to pay for at least one six-week summer job to support Baltimore City’s 2012 YouthWorks program. Nearly 70 of these business champions directly hired job ready 16- to 21-year olds to work at their offices, banks, and firms. The Hire One Youth campaign added more than 275 additional career-focused job opportunities, bringing the total number of YouthWorks summer jobs with private sector, nonprofit, and city and state government employers throughout the Baltimore region to more than 5,300. Mayor Rawlings-Blake thanked the businesses for their partnership this summer and asked that they continue to build upon the momentum by considering how full-time, year-round or parttime, school year jobs can be provided to our most successful young people in mutually beneficial ways. “I am grateful to the companies that are taking part in Hire One Youth by giving youth and young adults valuable work experiences this summer,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “My hope is that many of these jobs will extend past the summer and that even more businesses will hire through YouthWorks’ Hire One Youth initiative next year. This is a great example of a successful publicprivate partnership that benefits our entire city in the short- and long-term.” Mayor Rawlings-Blake also announced that Don Fry, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee, will continue as chair of the Hire One Youth Leadership Team, comprised of local business leaders from various industries. “Through the Hire One Youth campaign, these young people are gaining real-world experience in high growth business sectors here in Baltimore,” said Mr. Fry. “Not only are they gaining important skills that are helping to build their future careers, but they are also making genuine contributions to the organizations where they are employed.” YouthWorks is operated by the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development with the assistance of employers and workforce partners, and with financial support from a variety of contributors. YouthWorks 2012, which runs through August 3, is part of Baltimore City Super Summer, a partnership between the City, Baltimore City Public Schools and nonprofits to ensure that every child has access to learning, meals, reading and other fun activities during the summer. Visit www.youthbmore.org or call 211 for more information about Baltimore City Super Summer.