Flushing Summer Youth Job Program Ready To Start Up
BY JOHN TOSCANO

Assemblymember Ellen Young.

An outreach campaign to target youths in Flushing who want to earn some money this summer and also explore career opportunities with businesses and nonprofit organizations has been launched by City Councilmember John Liu and Assemblymember Ellen Young.

Working in conjunction with the LaGuardia Community College workforce Education Center, the lawmakers will offer the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which is designed to provide local youths between the ages of 14 and 21 summer employment and educational experiences that build on their individual strengths and incorporate youth development principles.

Mabel Law, executive director of the Flushing Business Improvement District (BID) stated, "Many of our businesses are more than happy to provide economic opportunities for local youth and we look forward to collaborating with our elected officials and LaGuardia C.C. in this outreach effort. We hope to utilize the Summer Youth Employment Program to expand these opportunities and provide exceptional role models for the many young people seeking to develop a business career."

Businesses and non-profit organizations that wish to host a SYEP participant this summer must submit an application by April 18. There is no cost associated with hosting SYEP participants, who will be paid minimum wage stipends by the City Department of Youth and Community Development, Liu and Young explained.

Application forms and additional information about SYEP are available at www.nyc.gov/html/dycdhtml/jo bs/summer-youth-employment. shtml.

Liu stated: "As our community grows and flourishes, we need to ensure that everyone shares in the prosperity and economic opportunities available. This is especially true of young people who are about to enter the job market and need the mentoring and support that may not always be available." He urged youths and businesses to participate in the program.

Young said, "This is a win- win situation for both our local businesses and our young people. When our youth get involved in the community, they not only contribute to society as a whole, but they begin to develop the general character necessary to lead responsible and productive lives."

Adjoa Gzifa, associate director of the Workforce Education Center at LaGuardia Community College, stated that this year, the college and the center together this year will offer 1,200 public and private sector summer jobs to youths 14- 21 years of age. In addition, youths will participate in educational workshops around work readiness.