WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mayor Muriel Bowser marked the 47th year of the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program on Thursday, saying about 15,000 District youth are participating in paid summer work, career exploration and skills programs across nearly 700 worksites.
The mayor’s office said the program is serving residents ages 9 to 24 this summer, combining paid work experiences with exposure to career pathways and community-based opportunities. Bowser joined Department of Employment Services Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes, community partners and District youth at the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy for the announcement.
“For nearly five decades, MBSYEP has helped young people earn their first paycheck, build confidence and discover new opportunities for their future,” Bowser said in the official release. She said the program continues the legacy of former Mayor Marion Barry by connecting young Washingtonians to early work experience and long-term opportunity.
The administration said more than 126,000 youth have participated in the summer jobs program since 2015, earning more than $130 million in pay at more than 3,700 host sites. The release also highlighted the Mayor’s Opportunity Scholarship, which has awarded more than $2.4 million to over 700 participants since 2017.
Officials also pointed to the Career Ready Early Scholars Program, now in its fourth year, which introduces District youth ages 9 to 13 to college and career pathways through hands-on activities, financial literacy education and enrichment programming.
Source: Executive Office of the Mayor, District of Columbia.
The Washington Herald
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