Today marks the start of week two of Baltimore City’s 2014 YouthWorks summer jobs program, through which more than 5,200 young people ages of 14-21 have been offered opportunities to gain real-world work experience through six-week positions at public- and private-sector worksites throughout Baltimore. 

Youth Opportunity (YO!) Baltimore hosted a special graduation event this evening for its 2014 class of 93 young adults who chose to pursue alternative education after facing challenges in traditional settings. The event honored 57 students who graduated from the YO! Academy, an alternative high school that operates in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools, and 36 young people who earned their Maryland high school diplomas through the city’s two YO! Baltimore centers in East and West Baltimore. 

Youth Opportunity (YO!) Baltimore will host a special graduation event for its 2014 class of 93 young adults who chose to pursue alternative education after facing challenges in traditional settings. Fifty-seven students will graduate from the YO! Academy, an alternative high school that operates in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools. They will share the stage with 36 young people who earned their high school diplomas through the two YO! centers in East and West Baltimore. Ms. Shina Parker, a local entrepreneur and CEO, will deliver the keynote address.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Greater Baltimore Committee President and CEO Donald C. Fry will announce the progress of Hire One Youth, which is the private-sector hiring component of Baltimore City’s nationally recognized YouthWorks summer jobs program, and encourage companies to hire at least one job-ready youth this summer.