Atlanta is rolling out the red carpet for its youth this summer as Mayor Andre Dickens announced the return of the city's popular Summer Youth Employment Program. Now in its third season, the program looks to provide 5,000 teens and young adults with not just a paycheck, but also valuable job experience. According to a WABE report, these burgeoning workers, aged 14 to 24, can expect to make a solid $15 an hour minimum.
The kickoff event, which took place at Midtown's Accenture Innovation Hub, showcased a mix of business and non-profit leaders alongside the Mayor, all eager to set students up with a diverse array of positions in sectors like tech and business. Despite the serious backdrop, humor wasn't amiss, with Dickens quipping about his own humble beginnings flipping burgers and bagging groceries before rising to the city's leadership—"I worked at Burger King, and Kroger and then I became mayor," he told an amused audience, as per WABE.
It's not just about keeping kids busy, the initiative strives to empower them with the confidence and skills needed to excel in their future careers. Cassipea Stith, a former participant and mayoral staffer, expressed her desire for other cities to emulate Atlanta's model. "It made me really value my voice and what I can offer and want to do more in the community, even at the age that I am," Stith, who's headed to Chicago-Kent College of Law come fall, told WABE.
Local businesses are also championing the program's return. Chef Simone Byron, linked with The Navigate Program for young culinary professionals, was enthusiastic about the young energy these teens bring to the table. "They bring a sense of community, they bring a vibrance, they bring an excitement, they bring energy," Byron explained in her interview with WABE. Her sentiments echo the broader anticipation that Atlanta's program could set an employment blueprint for youth across the nation.
