News Advisory: Mayor Jackson’s 10th Annual Youth Summer Employment Program Commencement Celebration Teaches Job Readiness Skills

CLEVELAND – On Friday, July 31, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Mayor Frank G. Jackson will welcome and congratulate hundreds of Cleveland youths ages 14 to 18 to Mayor Jackson’s 10th Annual Youth Summer Employment Program Commencement Celebration to be held at Public Auditorium on Lakeside Avenue in Cleveland. This year’s Summer Youth Employment program empowered participants to learn the importance of hard work and valuable skills that will stay with them as they enter the workforce.

The Youth Summer Employment Program began in 2006, has grown to over 30 different projects by focusing on various themes and aligning them with Mayor Jackson’s goals and initiatives for providing unique work opportunities for Cleveland’s youths. From 2006 to 2015, approximately 2,234 youths have been hired. Various career projects are funded by sponsors to include Cleveland Department of Public Utilities Divisions of Water, Water Pollution Control and Cleveland Public Power and also by some of the sustainability/storm water management related projects in the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. The City of Cleveland has partnered with Youth Opportunities Unlimited, as the employer of record for the youth, to administrate the community program. Through collaborative efforts and goals of this program, other structured year-round programs have been incorporated: the City of Cleveland Public Power Department of Public Utilities Lineman Apprenticeship Program and the Cleveland State University Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP).

The impact of the 8-week summer program will allow youths to be given an opportunity to share their unique work experiences with Mayor Jackson. Over 200 youth employed this summer, departmental sponsors, project leads and Cleveland Browns alumni, will celebrate the achievements of Cleveland youth who shared their talents with a City who gave many of the youth their first job opportunity.

WHO: Mayor Frank G. Jackson
         Monyka Price, Chief of Education, Office of the Mayor

WHAT: Mayor Jackson’s 10th Annual Youth Summer Employment Program Commencement Celebration

WHERE: Cleveland Public Auditorium, Lower Level
             500 Lakeside Avenue

WHEN: Friday, July 31, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

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