Res. No. 3
Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to include $500 million in the 2010 jobs bill for a summer youth employment program and to pass the bill as soon as possible.
By Council Members Fidler, Cabrera, Arroyo, Barron, Brewer, Dickens, Ferreras, Foster, Gentile, Gonzalez, James, Koppell, Koslowitz, Lander, Levin, Mark-Viverito, Mealy, Nelson, Palma, Reyna, Sanders Jr., Seabrook, Vallone Jr., Vann, Williams, White, Rodriguez, Dromm, Van Bramer, Eugene, Gennaro, Jackson, Recchia, Vacca and Halloran
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, According to the Department of Youth and Community Development (“DYCD”), SYEP “strives to emphasize real-world labor expectations, increase awareness of services offered by community-based organizations and provide opportunities for career instruction, financial literacy training, academic improvement and social growth;” and
Whereas, SYEP offers a variety of employment opportunities including clerical work, customer service, childcare, web design and community service through various organizations such as government agencies, hospitals, summer camps, non-profits, small businesses, law firms, museums, sports enterprises and retail organizations; and
Whereas, In 2009, a record-high number of young people, 139,597, submitted applications to participate in SYEP, but the amount of funding available only allowed 52,255 participants to enroll; and
Whereas, Summer youth employment can also help stimulate the local economy, as evidenced by the fact that DYCD found that the most common uses of earnings from the SYEP programs were food, clothing, savings, and help with household expenses; and
Whereas, The House of Representatives recently passed The Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010 (H.R. 2847) which authorizes five hundred million dollars for summer youth employment programs and the Senate is expected to take up this legislation shortly; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to include $500 million in the 2010 jobs bill for a summer youth employment program and to pass the bill as soon as possible.
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LS # 8031-S8
JW
Date 01/08/10