Hello All The Mayor's staff sent an announcement about a Summer Youth Employment program for kids 14-18. Please pass this info on to any folks who might be interested. MAYOR LUKE RAVENSTAHL LAUNCHES PITTSBURGH SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM 'USING THE SUMMER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE' [PITTSBURGH, PA May 17, 2007] Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced today the launch of the Pittsburgh Summer Youth Employment Program (PYSEP) that will run from June 25 through August 24, 2007. "Two of the things I'm strongly committed to are public safety and our children," said Mayor Ravenstahl. "We, as a community, are responsible for setting the course for our children's future. Reaching out to local youth, providing them with job opportunities and work skills, sets them on the road to a lifetime of success. The purpose of the Pittsburgh Summer Youth Employment Program is to keep our youth safe during the summer months by providing them with opportunities to earn money, learn through on the job training, develop a strong work ethic and gain a sense of community, while at the same time fighting the blight throughout the City of Pittsburgh. Through the PSYEP we will use the summer to make a difference." The City is partnering with the Student Conservation Association and the Community Empowerment Association, which will oversee the day-to-day operations of the program. Youth will be completing various clean-up an environmental projects in specified areas throughout the City. The program runs 30 hours/week, 6 hours/day, during typical business hours. The pay rate is $7.15/hour City of Pittsburgh residents who will be at least 14 years of age, and no older than 18 years of age, as of June 25, 2007 may apply. Said the Mayor, "Because I feel so strongly about our youth succeeding academically, I want to stress that students assigned to a summer academic make-up program after June 29 are not eligible to participate." Because the program only runs for 9 weeks, youth who would miss more than 9 working days between June 29hand August 24 are also not eligible to participate. The Mayor's Youth Policy committee will select 114 participants. Applications will be available starting tomorrow in the Mayor's office or by contacting the Mayor's Office of Youth Policy at 412.255.2258. Applications may also be downloaded from City's website at www.pghgov.org. The deadline to apply is Monday, June 4, 2007. All applicants will be notified of acceptance status by mail. Work Permits and physicals will be required by all participants prior to starting work. Participants will be receiving T-Shirts that will serve as their official uniforms. The Mayor has committed $350,000 to this initiative, using funding sources from youth employment grants and youth program allocations. ### Contact: Joanna Doven, 412.255.2694