Mayor Elorza Announces Summer Employment Opportunities for Youth
Applications open for jobs and paid advanced internships to be offered in Providence in summer 2019
PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today joined City Council members, staff from the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), officials from the Parks and Recreation Departments, representatives from Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) and McDonald’s as well as community members at the Zenovation Forum at SEG to announce robust summer employment opportunities for Providence youth. Youth are encouraged to apply at www.pvdsummerjobs.com for jobs and paid advanced internships that will be offered in the capital city in summer 2019.
“We’re showing Providence youth that we value and believe in them by providing more and more employment opportunities that will help them get ahead,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “These opportunities equip our youth with critical life-skills and experiences, teach them financial responsibility and allow them to contribute to the local economy. We could not do this alone so I thank our partners for helping us in this effort.”
According to a Brookings Institution study, research shows that summer employment programs can lead to many positive effects, including reduced violence, lower incarceration rates, and improved academic outcomes for young people. Taking this into account, the City in recent years has expanded job and internship opportunities for young people. From 2016 to 2017, summer jobs offered by the City more than doubled, from 500 to more than 1,000. In 2018, over 1,300 year-round youth employment opportunities were offered. The City seeks further expansion in 2019 with support from partnering organizations.
“SEG is thrilled to have partnered with the City of Providence on many initiatives over the last ten years,” said Kelly Ramirez, CEO at SEG. “We were excited to be part of the advanced internship pilot program last summer and look forward to being able to support even more students with social impact internships this year.”
The Providence Departments of Parks and Recreation will hire Providence youth this summer to operate lunch program sites, sports, specialty and day camps and water parks and pools across the city. This program includes a robust training orientation program to gain essential work skills. The deadline for parks and recreation applications is Friday, May 10, 2019.
With a particular focus on workforce development, OEO will offer jobs through selected providers. The deadline to apply for One Providence for Youth employment opportunities is Friday, May 31, 2019.
This year, the City has partnered with the McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity program to provide opportunities geared toward graduating seniors and high school graduates. Archways to Opportunity gives restaurant employees an opportunity to receive upfront tuition assistance for college courses, access to academic advising courses and the ability to learn English as a second language. McDonald’s is committed to be a fantastic first job and a top-notch employer for people of all ages at any stage of their careers. The program aligns with the City’s cradle-to-career strategy supporting access to a post-secondary education.
“This summer, McDonald’s in Rhode Island will be hiring more than 20 employees in each restaurant statewide to support the regional economy, residents, and our customers,” said McDonald’s US Government Relations Regional Lead Rachel Kaprielian. “We offer competitive benefits like flexible schedules, advancement opportunities and tuition grants through Archways to Opportunity. Candidates are encouraged to apply online or in-restaurant at our Hiring Day event on April 24 between 9am– 4pm We are proud to invest in our local communities.”
In addition to the McDonald’s employment opportunities, One Providence for Youth employment providers include: (add)ventures, American Safety Programs & Training, Inc., Apprenticeship RI/ Building Futures, Billy Taylor House, Casa Buena Builders, Center for Women And Enterprise (CWE), Crossroads RI, Darrow Everett, Dimeo Construction, Dr. Bois Chiropractic, Evolis, Global View Communications, Grow Smart RI, JoMar Painting LLC, Keno Mullings, Providence Foundation, Providence Public Library, SMMA, Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG), Stages of Freedom, UpServe, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, and YUSHIN AMERICA.
Mayor Elorza believes that every Providence student should be prepared to succeed in the classroom and beyond and that real life work experiences complement the learning that occurs in schools. For a second consecutive year, the City has partnered with the private and non-profit sectors to support and promote rigorous work experiences that will prepare and engage youth for success in their future careers and college. Advanced Internships will begin as early as June 17 and can last for as long as eight weeks depending on the placement. The program will enroll local youth ages 14-24 that have already been in a program or had some prior work experience and are ready to move to a higher-level program.
Advanced Internships will enhance 21st century skills by focusing on communication, engagement in learning, critical thinking, perseverance and teamwork. Participants will engage in work readiness training, develop specific learning goals to improve those skills, be placed in a structured work experience with an employer, and be overseen by a trained supervisor. The deadline to apply for One Providence for Youth advanced internship opportunities is Friday, May 31, 2019.
One Providence for Youth advanced internship providers include: AS220, Boys & Girls Club Providence, Community Action Partnership of Providence (CAPP), Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP), FabNewport, Federal Hill House, Goodwill Industries, The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, IntraCity Geeks, The Met, Providence Housing Authority (PHA), Refugee Dream Center, Rhode Island for Community and Justice (RICJ), Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College and We Make RI.
The City is encouraging local businesses and organizations to partner to provide work-based learning opportunities by contacting Kadeem Leslie, Youth Employment Coordinator, at kleslie@providenceri.gov. The deadline for prospective partners is Friday, May 31, 2019.
All summer employment candidates must be at least 14 years old as of June 15, 2019. Additional information for all summer jobs and internship programs can be found online at pvdsummerjobs.com. Residents can also contact the Mayor’s Center for City Services (MCCS) at City Hall for more information by dialing 3-1-1.