YouthWorks Program in Baltimore City Going Strong

Annual summer employment program brings jobs to over 6,700 residents aged 14-21.

Baltimore City kicked off its annual YouthWorks summer jobs initiative by offering employment to over 6,700 Baltimore City residents aged 14-21 – a 6% increase from the 2021 program. For the second consecutive year, every young person who completed their application was placed in a summer job.

“We are excited to see so many of our young people gaining valuable experience and learning important life skills through YouthWorks,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “This is an incredible opportunity for them to not only be productive this summer, but to be exposed to professionals and practices  that we believe will set them up for success later in life.”

According to the City press release:

The initiative also teaches important life skills. YouthWorkers finish the summer with a better idea of what they want to do with their lives, an appreciation for collaboration, and an understanding that diversity, inclusion, perseverance, and good old-fashioned hard work are the breeding grounds for excellence.

Managed by the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED), YouthWorks runs  through August 5. Young adults work at one of  400 private, nonprofit, and government employers throughout Baltimore in either an in-person or virtual work setting. YouthWorkers work 25 hours per week – and earn $12.50 per hour over the course of the five weeks.

In addition to funding directly from the city budget, YouthWorks is supported by several local foundations including the Abell Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Bank of America, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and J.P. Morgan Chase.

Read the full press release to learn more.