Baltimore City Real Estate

Summer Jobs Program for Youth is a Win-Win

October 2009 If you want to know how intractable the problem of Unemployment in Detroit, talk to any group of 18-24 years and you'll be amazed how few have already had a summer job.

Therefore, the owner and operator of McDonald's, Jamar Thrower has been decided that the Youth Employment Program (SYEP) was an opportunity he could not refuse.

"We're always open to get involved in something positive to help the community," said the owner of Jamjomar, Inc. "It was an incredible opportunity for us to train young people, at no cost to us, then they are ready to hire when the summer was over. "

Thrower is one of tens of employers without profit SYEP attended this summer. The Detroit program, which serves an average of 2,500 young people each year have received an injection of 11.2 million dollars of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act this summer. Federal funds have helped to increase the scope of the program to serve about 7,000 Youth 14 to 24.

SYEP participation is good for business

With the dramatic increase in the number of youth served, City Log in Detroit, acting on behalf of the Consortium Detroit youth employment, decided to seek the help of the business community more Supporters of traditional non-profit summer program. It was not easy to sell.

"In a troubled economic climate, many companies have focused on downsizing and not make room for new employees, said City Connect Detroit and CEO of Geneva J. Williams. "But when we said clearly that we were giving young people and pay their salaries, many companies have jumped at the opportunity to give young people a taste of the real working environment. "

Blowers 13 young people in its two Detroit stores. "In such a depressed time, it is important expose children to earn wages and to teach them responsibility, "said Lance, who has trained in his youth SYEP all aspects of the operation of its business. "It was a good experience for me as an employer, I would no difficulty in recommending other stores in our consortium to participate next year. "

Cultivate future employees

C. has a bad temper, which she landed in front of a judge earlier this year after 20 person-years stabbed in a brawl. The judge gave the offender for the first time a choice: Go to the test and get a job or go to jail.

"I chose probation," she said. "I am so happy to have been a chance."

C. finished in SYEP do conservation work with Greening of Detroit. "This is my first time to have a job, she said while composting Elizabeth Gordon Sachs park downtown, near Detroit. "It feels good to have a salary."
The biggest lesson she learned is how to stay to herself. "You get quiet when you work outside, "she said." At first it was uncomfortable to be calm and think. But it helps me to avoid trouble. "

It is a question of values

The exposure of youth to environmental issues, more giving them the opportunity to learn the value of work is exactly why Johnson Controls, a member of the Consortium Detroit youth employment, were involved with SYEP.

In 2006, the company began keeping Milwaukee Leadership Corps (CLC) to teach stewardship of the urban youth of the environment and leadership. The program has since expanded to two other cities where the company operates: Baltimore and Detroit.

"We have had 2200 applicants for 110 positions in Detroit this summer, "said Jennifer Mattes, Director of Global Public Affairs." We continue to seek additional funding in the three cities – the need is so great. "

In partnership with the Association National Student Conservation and Greening of Detroit, the CTC has been able to give young people a taste of Detroit industry jobs green, including educating locals on energy efficiency weatherization and energy audits to 75 homes Detroit, the design and construction of an outdoor classroom and indoor environmental laboratory at Barbara Jordan Elementary School, Conduct a comprehensive inventory of trees and retrieve two picnic shelters Green Belle Isle using building materials and alternative practices.

Why Johnson Controls' involvement with youth programs summer?

"We wanted to invest in communities where we operate, "said Mattes." For the next challenge generation of environmental stewards and be providing the opportunity to acquire leadership skills. Some they may even become our employees. In addition, we hope they will remain in Detroit, because they see a future. "(For a list of other donors Conservation Leadership in Detroit, see below .*)

The program has also enabled Johnson Controls to develop a relationship with state and local leaders. "The mayor and the governor are in favor of these programs and summer, Mattes said. "We have won recognition as a society of youth participation in meaningful work and experience unique and also provides a valuable community service. "
Mattes said that SYEP is a win-win for business. "With this program, we can give young people a perspective of what kind of skills and education they need to be ready Green Jobs of the future, "she said." At the same time they do something to beautify their city. We want to make a better place for everyone. "
* Johnson Controls is the founding sponsor of the Conservation Corps leadership. Additional support was provided By: Chase City Community Block Grant Development and the Detroit Neighborhood Fund, the City of Detroit Workforce Development Department; Detroit City Connect, the Michigan Department of Energy, Michigan Works employment and economic growth;! Association, Masco Corporation Foundation, SAP Americas Foundation and Walmart.

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