City and County Supplemental Assistance to Youth Summer Job Sites

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon

Through the City-County Summer Youth Employment Program, public and private sector businesses can get supplemental assistance at no cost to provide teenagers and young adults with jobs and valuable experience this summer.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon made the announcement Friday saying it's a “win-win” for local employers and young people in Syracuse and Onondaga County.

The program will place youth ages 14 through 20 at various organizations and businesses within Onondaga County to help them gain meaningful work experience and, in addition, allow employers extra summer help. The employment program will span six weeks, 25 hours per week during July and August.

“Summer jobs are good for youth now and long into the future. They give young people valuable experience that can make them more employable and help them decide what they do – or don’t – want to do with their lives,” said Mayor Walsh. “We’ve gotten thousands of youth into summer jobs over the past five years, and we need to keep building on that success. There’s no shortage of young people looking for jobs. Now, we need more job sites.”

“At a time when employers still face challenges finding workers, young people in Syracuse and Onondaga County are an untapped resource,” said County Executive McMahon. “Businesses and organizations can literally change lives for the better at the same time they meet the needs of their worksites and their customers. I urge our public and private sector to answer the call and create jobs for youth this summer.”

Employment sites can hire young people to work on-site, remotely or a combination of both. Employer costs to hire young adults for these summer work experiences can be fully funded through this city and county partnership. All payroll and related costs, including employment preparation requirements for these short-term, temporary paid work experiences will be managed by CNY Works. Participants must live in Syracuse and Onondaga County and must meet income eligibility requirements.

“The Summer Youth Employment Program from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is a great opportunity for youth to learn skills in various sectors and provide a window to different career pathways while learning about financial literacy and skills to enhance their work experience, education, and communities,” said Rosemary Avila, executive director, CNY Works. “The Onondaga County Workforce Development and Career Center invites all businesses to be part of an opportunity to plant a seed in the youth of our community to see the fruits in the near future. We want youth to become familiar with our local businesses and organizations so in the years to come they could work and live in our communities and serve as future leaders, entrepreneurs, and role models.”

“Giving our young people the opportunity to work, learn, develop, and harness their skills is past due. We believe that summer youth programming opens up doors and opportunities that our youth would not otherwise be exposed to,” said Sam Rowser, executive director of On Point for College. “We encourage employers to open their doors and become a part of the shaping of our future leaders!”

Organizations and businesses interested in participating this summer should complete the Employer Worksite application at cnyworks.com or contact CNY Works at referrals@cnyworks.com.