Spring Break
Area youth employment advocates decry job cuts
Racheida Lewis, Takiah Jones/NovelTeenInk
Issue date: 6/29/08 Section: Cover
"Any federally funded programs facing financial crisis, when it comes to picking the choice of who to cut out, it's usually programs that benefit minorities," Paul said. "Cancellation of these programs cuts the opportunities out for many young African Americans to get exposure and potentially succeed on a global level."
Paul said that if something of the same caliber were to happen to the Summer Youth Employment Program, DC would be thrown into chaos. SYEP employs about 17,000 teens over the summer and without that enrichment, there would be 17,000 teens with nothing to do.
Seventeen-year-old Aminata Jalloh, a Wilson Senior High School student, knows first hand the value of youth employment programs. She is working at the District Chronicles this summer covering news and events under NovelTeenInk sponsorship. "It should not be cancelled because it gives youth a better chance to get off the streets," Jalloh said. "I know that if the program was not available, I would most likely be outside on the street."
Sameerah Stocks, 18, shares Jalloh's sentiments. "If the program is what everyone says it is, they shouldn't cut it . That really doesn't make any sense," said Sameerah who is also working this summer as a journalist at the District Chronicles.
NUL President/CEO Marc Morial also laments that the cut comes at a time when no substantial federal funding exists for general summer jobs for youth across the nation.
"You have a lot of idle teenagers who are out of school and who want to work, opportunities, careers, and a chance to earn a living," said Morial. "It's a tragedy that Congress has not moved on summer jobs because the teen unemployment rate is as high as it's been in 50 years."
Paul said that if something of the same caliber were to happen to the Summer Youth Employment Program, DC would be thrown into chaos. SYEP employs about 17,000 teens over the summer and without that enrichment, there would be 17,000 teens with nothing to do.
Seventeen-year-old Aminata Jalloh, a Wilson Senior High School student, knows first hand the value of youth employment programs. She is working at the District Chronicles this summer covering news and events under NovelTeenInk sponsorship. "It should not be cancelled because it gives youth a better chance to get off the streets," Jalloh said. "I know that if the program was not available, I would most likely be outside on the street."
Sameerah Stocks, 18, shares Jalloh's sentiments. "If the program is what everyone says it is, they shouldn't cut it . That really doesn't make any sense," said Sameerah who is also working this summer as a journalist at the District Chronicles.
NUL President/CEO Marc Morial also laments that the cut comes at a time when no substantial federal funding exists for general summer jobs for youth across the nation.
"You have a lot of idle teenagers who are out of school and who want to work, opportunities, careers, and a chance to earn a living," said Morial. "It's a tragedy that Congress has not moved on summer jobs because the teen unemployment rate is as high as it's been in 50 years."
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