Mayor Lyda Krewson Kicks Off Campaign for 1,000 Summer Jobs

Mayor Lyda Krewson called upon local business leaders Wednesday to join her in an effort to raise the money needed to create 1,000 jobs this summer through STL Youth Jobs.

STL Youth Jobs is a youth employment program that provides paid work experience, job readiness and financial literacy training, and career and mentoring services to underserved young people ages 16 to 24.

Mayor Krewson kicked off the campaign at a breakfast hosted by the St. Louis Regional Chamber. Krewson talked about the importance of STL Youth Jobs and how summer jobs put
young people on the path to success.

“It may just seem like a summer job, but these opportunities impact youth and our economy far beyond the summer,” she said.

“Summer jobs provide young people the opportunity to hone their job skills, develop a strong work ethic, and make the first step towards a career path.”

“Our goal is to make sure there is enough funding to provide these opportunities and set our young people up for future success,” Krewson continued. “We can do that by investing in this program and hiring young people for summer jobs.”

During Wednesday morning’s breakfast, Krewson encouraged local employers to donate for the first time or increase a previous a donation. This year’s goal is to provide 1,000 young people
with a summer job. In 2018, STL Youth Jobs provided 739 youth with summer jobs, yet 68 percent of applicants were turned away because of a lack of funding.

Krewson said it’s important to aim higher each year. This year’s fundraising goal is $2.5 million, which would employ 1,000 youth for eight weeks in the summer. “One of the largest and often overlooked benefits to businesses is that connecting with young adults directly influences the choices they make when continuing their education or career path.

Young people need the support of our business community to help identify their interest and talents and fill the skills gap in our region. Investment and employment through STL Youth Jobs is one of the many ways employers can ensure home grown talent in their industry,” said Tom Chulick, chief executive officer of the St. Louis Regional Chamber “We are asking our partners, old and new, to create more opportunity.

Youth learn valuable skills on the job, not just job specific skills, but things like how to get along with your supervisor and proper workplace etiquette,” said Hillary Frey, Executive Director, STL Youth Jobs. “A contribution to STL Youth Jobs is an investment in ensuring our young people succeed and our community thrives.”

How to get involved

It costs $2,500 to fund one program participant, including their salary, job training, financial literacy education, and job coaching. Become an employer partner - Mentor and help develop a young adult’s job skills by providing a summer job experience.

Sponsor a youth

Businesses can also choose to sponsor an intern(s) for a local non-profit or small business by making a gift by mailing a donation to:

#2 Oak Knoll Park

St. Louis, MO 63105

Become a corporate sponsor

Through STL Youth Jobs, employers can host site tours, speak about their industry in a workshop or offer job shadowing. Whether you’re interested in providing an opportunity for one youth or funding a larger initiative, we have multiple sponsorship packages available.

Contact Camille Hogan at camille@stlyouthjobs.org for more information.

Among last year’s major sponsors were:

Bank of America, Citi Foundation,Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, City of St. Louis, Civic Progress, Clark-Fox Family Foundation, Emerson, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Incarnate Word Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, Mercy, Mysun Charitable Foundation, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, the Regional Business Council, SSM Health, Wells Fargo Advisors, as well as many other private donors.

For Interested youth

St. Louis area youth interested in a summer job can complete an application here between now and April 30. On a rolling basis between now and May 15, applicants will be enrolled, trained and matched to employers based on interest, ability, and accessibility.

This year’s work experience begins June 1st. Participants are allowed to work a total of 160 hours, typically working 20 hours per week for eight weeks. Program expansion in 2019 includes the addition of an accelerated track for youth ages 18-24 with prior work experience.

Youth will be exposed to relevant career paths and increased professional development opportunities within their field of interest.