$55 Million to Introduce At-Risk Youth to the Summer Workforce

A shot of businesses along Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst, New York.Photo byPhoto by J.M. Lesinski

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently celebrated the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s distribution of approximately $55 million in funding to the New York State Summer Youth Employment Program, which is expected to boost employment for over 20,000 youths from low-income households across every New York county and New York City this summer season. 

“The Summer Youth Employment Program helps young New Yorkers find good summer jobs that will give them valuable experience and skills to help prepare them for future employment,” Hochul commented of the funding. “For many participants, this will be their first time in the workforce, and these new experiences will help them greatly as they pursue their educational and career goals into adulthood.”

Up $7.9 million from the previous year, the Summer Youth Employment Program served roughly 18,400 young people during the prior summer. The program works by offering access to entry-level summer jobs at community-focused venues including parks, summer camps, child care businesses, cultural centers, educational facilities, and community organizations. 

“By offering meaningful employment to young people from low-income households, the Summer Youth Employment Program provides not only a paycheck, but the potential for life-changing experience and training that can help our youth stay on a path to success,” stated Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn of the funding. “Youth who participate will learn or further develop crucial skills like reliability, the ability to carry out work duties, how to cooperatively accomplish goals as part of a team in a business setting, and personal financial management and budgeting.”

The breakdown of the $55 million by county is as follows: Albany - $757,117, Allegany - $217,118, Broome - $632,480, Cattaraugus - $314,060, Cayuga - $224,893, Chautauqua - $479,107, Chemung - $252,867, Chenango - $170,250, Clinton - $244,683, Columbia - $129,662, Cortland - $164,546, Delaware - $144,070, Dutchess - $601,494, Erie - $2,526,837, Essex - $91,710, Franklin - $184,119, Fulton - $171,867, Genesee - $137,334, Greene - $134,290, Hamilton - $13,561, Herkimer - $194,080, Jefferson - $350,717, Lewis - $95,334, Livingston - $192,155, Madison - $206,864, Monroe - $2,107,618, Montgomery - $170,222, Nassau - $1,761,264, Niagara - $554,402, NYC - $28,545,251, Oneida - $703,618, Onondaga $1,356,411, Ontario - $248,271, Orange - $1,041,629, Orleans - $133,742, Oswego - $457,852, Otsego - $217,349, Putnam - $105,921, Rensselaer - $379,114, Rockland - $955,097, Saratoga $324,921, Schenectady - $356,458, Schoharie - $95,391, Schuyler - $56,356, Seneca - $116,660, St. Lawrence - $479,824, Steuben - $302,050, Suffolk - $2,249,694, Sullivan - $236,257, Tioga - $137,738, Tompkins - $430,964, Ulster - $405,718, Warren - $124,616, Washington - $164,838, Wayne - $237,020, Westchester - $1,701,033, Wyoming - $126,207, and Yates - $85,279.

“Summer youth employment experiences are invaluable as they prepare young people for eventual self sufficiency through introductions to the workplace and soft skills development,” Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner DaMia Harris-Madden remarked of the funding. “The Summer Youth Employment Program counters poor use of unsupervised time, provides an alternative to illegal means of making money, and exposes youth to industry professionals. We are fortunate and grateful to have a Governor and Legislature that recognizes the critical importance of investing in summer youth employment opportunities.”

Eligible youth must be between 14 and 20 years of age and be a household member of a home with income below 200% of the federal poverty level. 

“Access to summer jobs is crucial for young people, especially those at risk, providing them with valuable experience that will benefit them throughout their lives,” noted New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon of the funding. “Thanks to Governor Hochul's support, this program offers a great opportunity for young New Yorkers to get the skills they need to succeed and contribute to their communities.”