NEW YORK CITY: Mayor Eric Adams Announces Record 100,000 Summer Youth Employment Opportunities

NEW YORK: The city this summer will support a record 100,000 summer job opportunities annually for young people ages 14-24, with 90,000 of the opportunities stemming from the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and 10,000 opportunities coming from other city programs.

The 90,000 opportunities through SYEP is the largest number of jobs ever made available in the program’s 60-year history.

The record number of opportunities — an increase from the previous record of nearly 75,000 — is possible in part due to a $79 million investment that will be made in the mayor’s upcoming Fiscal Year 2023 Preliminary Budget.

This expansion is a key part of an overall strategy to keep the city’s youth engaged and active over the summer months when crime spikes. 

The city’s SYEP program, which is the largest in the country, typically runs for six weeks in July and August.

Research shows summer jobs save lives, cut crime, and strengthen communities.

Beyond the public safety implications, summer jobs can offer life-changing experiences for participants who discover a passion, connect with a mentor, and gain the confidence that comes from successfully navigating the world of work.

Applications for New York City’s SYEP CareerReady and Special Initiatives tracks opened on February 14, and the general community-based application period for all youth opens on March 1.

The CareerReady track is designed for students between the ages of 14 and 21 from select DOE schools, while the Special Initiatives track offers tailored opportunities for youth aged 14-24 who are:

• Residents of select New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments;
• Homeless or have run away;
• Justice- or court-involved;
• In foster care;
• Receiving preventative services through the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS);
• New York City Human Resources Administration participants receiving Cash Assistance via Business Link;
• Students from Access and alternative schools; or
• Have experienced gender-based violence.