City of Rochester
News Release
(Monday, July 7 2014) – Mayor Lovely Warren hosted a summer jobs “kick-up” rally at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial today to welcome hundreds of city youth to the City’s Summer of Opportunity (SOOP) and RochesterWorks! Summer Youth Employment (SYEP) work and career-exploration programs.
Mayor Warren was joined by County Executive Maggie Brooks, State Senator Joseph Robach, City Councilman Adam McFadden and other community partners.
“This truly is a summer of opportunity for hundreds of our youth to get the experience they need to become successful working adults,” said Mayor Warren. “Thanks to our community partners, they will have the chance to earn money while they learn critical skills that will benefit them now and in the future.”
"I would like to thank RochesterWorks! and the City of Rochester for their shared commitment to preparing our workforce of tomorrow to compete in today’s global economy,” said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks. “For so many of the youth participating in this program, this is their first opportunity to gain valuable work experience and job preparedness skills that will assist them whether they decide to pursue higher education or join the workforce full-time.”
Nearly 500 city youth are participating in SOOP, while another 500 youth are participating in SYEP, a program administered by RochesterWorks! on behalf of the Monroe County government.
SOOP is a summer employment placement and training program designed to connect high school youth with local employment opportunities and expose youth with the basic skills necessary for career success. Youth begin the program by attending job readiness training sessions to develop communication, interpersonal and interviewing skills.
Youth who complete all requirements have the opportunity to interview for 6 to 8 week summer employment positions with area employers and community based organizations. The City collaborates with RochesterWorks! to conduct joint recruitment and application processing.
SYEP sponsors additional students throughout Monroe County who meet eligibility guidelines. About 80 percent of the youth sponsored by SYEP are city residents.
Youth who are 14 and 15 years old are placed in “Career Exploration” programs at local non-profit organizations, including Baden Street Settlement; Action for a Better Community; IBERO; and the Boys and Girls Club.
The career exploration paths cover such fields as entrepreneurship; landscaping; multi-media production; precision machining and community organizing. These youth receive a $600 stipend for the summer.
High school students ages 16 through 20 are assigned jobs at one of these partner agencies and are paid a minimum of $8.25, other youth who work for the City or private businesses.
The programs continue through the middle of August.
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News Media: For more information, contact Communications Director Christine Christopher at 428-7135.