Posted by Media Release

Program will employ hundreds youth, ages 14-21 for the summer

Pleasant Ridge – Mayor Mark Mallory announced the details of the of 2008 Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative at a press conference at the Pleasant Ridge Recreation Center.  The Mayor developed his Youth Employment Initiative as part of his first Budget Comment during the 2007/2008 city budget process.  Entering its second year, the initiative will employ 220 youth ages of 16 and 21 for the summer in 5 different programs through the Cincinnati Parks Department, Recreation Commission, and ArtWorks. 

“Providing our youth with quality employment opportunities is one of the most important things that we can do for the future of our city,” Mayor Mallory said.  “Our program connects young people to city government teaching them about the value of public service.”

The Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Initiative programs:

* Green Leaf Summer Jobs in the Cincinnati Parks Department that will match youth with Park employee mentors for a variety of duties in the Parks Department;
* Junior Counselor Program in the Cincinnati Recreation Commission to give employment opportunities to 14 year old youth;
* Recreation Employment Corps in the Cincinnati Recreation Commission that will hire interns to help run Recreation Centers;
* Green Team in Cincinnati Recreation Commission for entry level positions in the CRC Outdoor Maintenance Division;
* MuralWorks youth artist mural program administered by ArtWorks – 80 jobs;

The city is investing $420,000 to create youth employment opportunities through the Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative.  In 2008, the city is investing a total of $1,000,000 on youth employment, including a program to be administered by the Community Action Agency.  In the 2008 State of the City Address, Mayor Mallory proposed doubling the city’s investment in youth employment to $2 million per year in the next city budget.

The announcement comes two weeks before the Mayor’s 3rd Annual Youth Jobs and Opportunities Fair, which will be help on Thursday, April 17th at the Duke Energy Center.  Employers interested in participating in the Job Fair can register at http://www.mayormallory.com.

The Mayor was joined at the press conference by Willie Carden, Director of the Cincinnati Parks Department, Dr. Norman Merrifield, Director of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, and Tamara Harkavy, Director of ArtWorks.  Each participant described the details of their program.

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