Most teens look forward to earning a few bucks during the summer. This year, however, thousands may face a jobless one.
Governor David Paterson’s 2010-11 proposed Executive Budget cuts of $35 million in state funds to the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) could leave the program with almost half of last year’s $67.5 million budget.
In 2009, the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), which administers SYEP in the city, enrolled 52,255 youth between the ages of 14 and 25 in jobs. However, only 17,200 slots will be available this summer, according to Jeanne B. Mullgrav, commissioner of DYCD.
“Does anyone want to think about what happens to kids left unattended in the summer time? It doesn’t make sense,” said Bob Monahan, president of the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council in Glendale, an intake site and job provider for SYEP.
Out of 1,800 applicants last year, the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council provided jobs to 800 youth. This summer, they can only offer around 300 positions and anticipate more applications
SYEP provides employment in entry-level positions at summer camps, hospitals, private law firms, advertising agencies, cultural institutions, and retail stores, among other locations.
“For us, it’s horrific. This program was an oasis for kids in the summer time,” Monahan explained. “They have to realize that kids who don’t get jobs may have parents who don’t have jobs, it’s a ripple effect.”
George Stellakis, director of youth services of HANAC in Astoria, a SYEP intake site and nonprofit organization for immigrants, is concerned.
“They get income that they can save for school, clothes, and to help their parents,” said Stellakis. “Not only that, but they are kept off the street, and aren’t open to any negative influences. They gain valuable work experience, and something to put on their resumes.”
SYEP has 11 intake sites in Queens, locations where teens apply, and 21 percent of the worksites in the city. A possible “trickle-down effect” of fewer summer jobs is less help at many nonprofits such as senior care centers and camp programs.
“Essentially they’re saying, ‘we want you to stay in school, but we won’t help you do that. We want you to stay out of trouble, but we’re not going to give you a job to do so.’ Something’s gotta give,” he said. “They have to look elsewhere to make cuts, not on the backs of our teens.”
