New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) has officially kicked off, with 100,000 young people set to participate in six weeks of paid work and career exploration from July to August at thousands of job sites across the five boroughs. The city government stated that the program not only helps youth earn income but also establishes a foundation for future education, employment, and long-term economic stability through practical workplace experience, skills training, and financial literacy education.
This year, SYEP placements span community organizations, small businesses, hospitals, cultural institutions, and government agencies, offering youth the opportunity to accumulate professional experience in diverse fields. The program, now in its 63rd year, is the largest of its kind in the United States and continues to build career development plans for the next generation of New York City’s workforce.
Sandra Escamilla-Davies, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), stated that SYEP helps youth explore interests, gain meaningful work experience, develop professional skills, earn wages, and prepare for future careers through employers, mentors, and real work experiences, while also investing in community development across the five boroughs.
The city government highlighted that this year’s program includes tailored arrangements for youth facing employment barriers, such as those at high risk of gun violence, residents of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments, homeless youth, individuals with disabilities, justice-involved youth, and foster youth, providing them with access to paid job opportunities that may have been harder to secure otherwise.
Studies have shown that participation in SYEP is associated with improved student attendance, reduced arrest and incarceration risks, and enhanced skills. Citing research from 2021, the city government reported that SYEP participation led to a 17% decrease in youth arrest rates and a 23% decrease in serious felony arrest rates; additionally, the likelihood of being incarcerated in New York State prisons significantly decreased for participants over five years after the program ended.
In addition to job opportunities, ride-sharing company Lyft offers 1,200 free two-month Citi Bike memberships to SYEP participants each year, assisting youth with commuting to work, exploring the city, and engaging with the community. Lyft also accepts SYEP interns into its social impact team, providing participants with exposure to careers in the private sector and cultivating leadership and communication skills.