Summer Youth Employment Program Applications Open for New Yorkers Aged 14-24

March 1, 2022

Unprecedented $236 Million Baselined Investment Means 100,000 Summer Jobs for City Youth, Including Record 90,000 Under SYEP

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today opened applications for the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development’s (DYCD) Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), the nation’s largest summer youth employment initiative. In addition to a record 90,000 SYEP opportunities, 10,000 summer jobs will be available through other city agencies as the result of a $79 million investment in the Fiscal Year 2023 Preliminary Budget that Mayor Adams announced last month, bringing the total baselined funding to $236 million.

“Providing programs like SYEP for young New Yorkers keeps them safe and helps them secure a better future,” said Mayor Adams. “We are thrilled to open up applications for tens of thousands of youth to engage in summer jobs, develop skills and carry memories that will last a lifetime.”

“This summer represents the city of New York’s largest investment ever in youth employment experiences for our young people,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “SYEP remains the cornerstone of this expansive effort and this year’s program will provide New York City youth with a variety of opportunities to explore careers, develop workplace skills, and secure a well-earned paycheck.”

“The Summer Youth Employment Program does more than connect young people to paid experiences — it provides them with invaluable career, civic, and leadership skills you don’t always find on a resume,” said DYCD Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Connect Valerie Mulligan. “DYCD and our network of SYEP providers, employers, and agency partners are thrilled to provide young people with a record number of opportunities this summer.”

SYEP provides young people with paid opportunities to explore potential career interests and pathways, allowing participants to engage in learning experiences that help develop their professional, social, civic, and leadership skills. Research shows summer jobs save lives, cut crime, and strengthen communities. The administration’s commitment to summer jobs for any young person who wants one is part of the Blueprint to End Gun Violence and an overall strategy to keep youth engaged and safe over the summer months.    

Programming is available through various service options:  

• New York City teens aged 14 and 15 learn about career opportunities and make a difference in their communities through paid project-based activities.  
• Young people aged 16 to 24 improve their work readiness skills and explore career pathways through paid summer jobs in a variety of industries throughout New York City.  
• Special initiatives are available for:
  • Youth residing in select New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments,
  • Students from select Department of Education (DOE) schools,
  • DOE ACCESS and Alternative School students,
  • Students in the Young Adult Borough Centers (YABC) program,
  • Unhoused or runaway youth,
  • Young people experiencing gender-based violence,
  • Youth in the Living for the Young Family Through Education (LYFE) Parental Program Support program, and
  • Youth who are in foster care, or justice- or court-involved care receiving preventive services through the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) or receiving cash assistance through the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA). 

The 2022 program will include two six-week cohorts beginning July 5 and running through August 20. Applications can be completed online or at a participating community-based organization during the application period, which runs through Friday, April 22, 2022. For more information, New Yorkers can call 311 or DYCD Community Connect at 1-800-246-4646.