A new program has been created to help youth in St. Louis find summer jobs and bring $3.3 million to the local economy in wages. This marks the first time in eight years that the federal government has funded jobs for youth, city officials said.
City officials unveiled the “UrbanForce – The Next Generation Jobs Team” program during a news conference at the Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club.
Vice President Joe Biden and Gov. Jay Nixon announced that federal funding is available to assist 3,000 youth with summer jobs and internships throughout the state. The jobs are designed to teach skills that can be used in high-paying jobs in the future. In St. Louis, 1,600 summer jobs will be created.
Alice Prince, youth services manager for the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), said the community and community businesses should support the youth in these efforts.
“Our youth will put $3.3 million into our economy, so it’s important for our city to wrap our arms around our youth to find work in emerging industries,” Prince said.
They will work in established and emerging industries in the areas of green products and services, life sciences and biotech research, energy and healthcare.
The program runs from May 1 to September 2009 and applications are being taken now. Youth between the ages of 14 –24 are encouraged to apply. UrbanForce is SLATE’s summer employment program.
“‘I got next’ is what the kids say on the basketball court,” Nixon said. And it is true, he said. “A key component to our economic recovery is in the hands of our young people. We are training workers who will make the economy run.”
Biden agreed. “The reinvestment is standing right here,” said Biden, referring to St. Louis high performing high school students standing around him, with whom he met previously to talk to about the affordability of attending college.
“Remember, children tend to become that which you expect of them,” Biden said.
Sequoia Hudson, 17, of Vashon said she is pleased with the news about jobs and changes to make college affordable.
“It makes me feel great because I was worried about paying for college,” she said. “I want to be a neurosurgeon, and that’s a lot of money.”
After speaking to a group of teens about their plans to attend college and have professional careers, Biden met with reporters. Afterward, he immediately dashed across a water-soaked field to greet and shake hands with teachers and students from City Academy School, who had lined a nearby street just to have a glimpse of him.
“I promise you if you continue to work hard in school and get good grades. … you will go to college, even if your Mom and Dad can’t afford it,” Biden said.
“Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it. And by the way, any of you can be president of the United States.”
Call 314-622-3233 for more information about the UrbanForce jobs. Businesses who want to participate in the program can call Alice Prince at 314-589-8059.