Annual Summer Employment Program Brings Jobs to Over 6,700 Residents Aged 14-21

BALTIMORE, MD. (Tuesday, July 5, 2022) -Today, the City kicked off its annual YouthWorks summer jobs initiative by offering employment to over 6,700 Baltimore City residents aged 14-21 – a 6% increase from the 2021 program. For the second consecutive year, every young person who completed their application was placed in a summer job.

"We are excited to see so many of our young people gaining valuable experience and learning important life skills through YouthWorks ," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "This is an incredible opportunity for them to not only be productive this summer, but to be exposed to professionals and practices that we believe will set them up for success later in life."

The initiative also teaches important life skills. YouthWorkers finish the summer with a better idea of what they want to do with their lives, an appreciation for collaboration, and an understanding that diversity, inclusion, perseverance, and good old-fashioned hard work are the breeding grounds for excellence.

Managed by the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED), YouthWorks runs through August 5. Young adults work at one of 400 private, nonprofit, and government employers throughout Baltimore in either an in-person or virtual work setting. YouthWorkers work 25 hours per week – and earn $12.50 per hour over the course of the five weeks.

"Young Baltimore wants to work. We’re grateful to the many employers, funders and stakeholders across the city who provide meaningful opportunities for young workers to gain skills and prepare for their future," said Jason Perkins-Cohen, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development.

YouthWorks is one of the largest summer jobs initiatives in the country and is one of the 10 largest employers in Baltimore.

In addition to funding directly from the city budget, YouthWorks is supported by several local foundations including the Abell Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Bank of America, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and J.P. Morgan Chase.

Last fall, Mayor Scott allocated $8.4 million towards youth employment including MOED’s YouthWorks to allow the City to serve youth over the summer and during the school year through the first-ever, year-round YouthWorks Academy which launched this past February. The program is part of the Scott Administration’s Action Plan commitment to prioritizing Baltimore’s young people.