File #: Res 0055-2014    Version: * Name: Increase funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program to prevent the elimination of 3,700 slots due to the minimum wage increase.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Youth Services
On agenda: 2/26/2014
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to increase funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program to prevent the elimination of 3,700 slots due to the minimum wage increase.
Sponsors: Mathieu Eugene, Rafael L. Espinal, Jr., Andy L. King, Peter A. Koo, Mark Levine, Rosie Mendez, Annabel Palma, Donovan J. Richards, Deborah L. Rose, Helen K. Rosenthal, Carlos Menchaca
Council Member Sponsors: 11

Res. No. 55

 

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to increase funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program to prevent the elimination of 3,700 slots due to the minimum wage increase.

 

By Council Members Eugene, Espinal, King, Koo, Levine, Mendez, Palma, Richards, Rose, Rosenthal and Menchaca

 

                     Whereas, The Summer Youth Employment Program (“SYEP”) provides New Yorkers between the ages of 14 and 21 years of age with summer employment and educational opportunities; and

                     Whereas, SYEP participants can work for up to six weeks performing entry level jobs including clerical work, customer service, childcare, web design and community service at various organizations such as government agencies, hospitals, summer camps, non-profits, small businesses, law firms, museums, sports enterprises and retail organizations; and

                     Whereas, The educational component of SYEP provides applicants with training that includes workshops regarding job readiness, career exploration, and financial literacy; and

                     Whereas, There are four SYEP service options including younger youth, older youth, vulnerable youth, and ladders for leaders, which are designed to meet the varying developmental needs of participants; and

                     Whereas, The number of youth with disabilities participating in SYEP has steadily increased from 1000 youth in 2004 to 3,812 youth in 2009 at the height of the program; and

                     Whereas, SYEP helps local businesses by providing them with a pool of ambitious young workers, and stimulates the local economy by allowing young people to earn a steady wage and use such wages for various purchases such as food and clothing; and

                     Whereas, In 2013, according to the Department of Youth and Community Development’s Annual Summary, 135,388 young people submitted applications to participate in SYEP; however, due to a the funding cap of $45.6 million, only twenty-seven percent of applicants (35,957 participants) were permitted to enroll; and

                     Whereas, On December 31, 2013, New York State’s minimum wage increased to $8.00 an hour, which means that SYEP participants’ wages will increase from $7.25 per hour in 2013 to $8.00 an hour in 2014; and

                     Whereas, The increase in the minimum wage will result in the elimination of 3,700 SYEP slots unless the New York State budget for SYEP is increased from $27.5 million to $35 million; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to increase funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program to prevent the elimination of 3,700 slots due to the minimum wage increase.

 

 

LS # 740

JW

Date 2/12/14-4:55pm