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

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.”

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.

COJO of Flatbush released the following information regarding this years SYEP:

  • There will be a summer youth employment program this year. Note that the program is open to youth up to age 24 this year.
  • Youth ages 16-24 will have a traditional youth employment program. It will last 6 weeks. The first cohort will begin work on July 5 and end August 12. Youth may also opt to join the second cohort which will begin work July 11 and end August 19. Youth may work up to 25 hours per week and will be paid the minimum wage of $15 per hour. Youth may earn up to $2250 for the entire summer’s work. There will be a required unpaid 6 hour orientation before the summer, which will include a component delivered by Zoom and a component that youth will have to complete independently online.
  • Youth ages 14-15 will not be working this summer. They will be able to participate in an online educational program emphasizing career choice and preparation. It will require 12.5 hours per week of participation. They will be paid a weekly stipend which will total $700 for those who complete the entire program. There will be a required unpaid 4 hour orientation before the summer.
  • The application period for all youth will begin March 1 and end April 22. The best way to apply is online at application.nycsyep.com. Those who can’t fill out the application online can download a paper copy of the application from that site or obtain a paper copy from our office. Either way the completed paper application must be brought to our office at 1523 Avenue M, 4th Floor.
  • Applicants who are chosen in the lottery will have to submit their documents using SYEP’s online document system. It is smart to prepare for this now by getting clear, easy to read copies of all documents now and making sure that the youth has access to a computer with a scanner. We will have very limited ability to accept paper documents or faxes. The list of required documents will be found with the application.
  • Applicants ages 16-17 will need working papers. Public high schools are open and able to issue working papers. Many private schools also issue working papers.
  • We will be contacting worksites to complete their applications. All correspondence will be directed to COJO at 1523 Avenue M, 4th floor. The phone number is 718-377-2900 x 400, and the general email address is syep@jewishcouncil.org.

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