Mayor Lee joined the Obama Administration’s SummerJobs+ challenge this year, a program meant to set aside thousands of jobs for youth and young adults. Many local companies in San Francisco have created job opportunities specifically for individuals enrolled in the program who were looking for meaningful employment. By registering with SummerJobs+, applicants significantly improved their chances of finding a position with a company that is a great fit for them.
While SummerJobs+ is coming to an end, the successes of the program will continue to reward many of its participants. Youth from all over the city, including previous SWEP and YouthWorks applicants, were able to enroll in the program and over the last several months they gained invaluable skills and insight into the application process. These new skills led many youth to new careers and empowered hundreds of others to continue their search with confidence. SummerJobs+ participants worked one on one with employment coordinators to fine tune their resumes and work on interview skills. They were also given the opportunity to gain employer feedback and interview tips via company sponsored jobs fairs and hiring sessions with well established businesses such as Starbucks, Target and UPS. The experience youth gained and opportunities they were given gave SummerJobs+ participants a head start in the highly competitive world of job hunting as well as the chance to develop both professionally and personally.
SummerJobs+ is wrapping up at the end of September but there are still quite a few services out there for youth looking for employment opportunities. MatchBridge works closely with members to help find job leads. MatchBridge reviews membership applicants once a month so be sure to complete your application by October 3rd by visiting their website. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Thole at 415 808-4434 or athole@uwba.org.
Former YouthWorks intern Elexus Hunter talks about her experience with Summer Jobs + in the United Way of the Bay Area newsletter:
“5,000 youth placed in jobs and internships this summer. Check. Self-esteem, a sense of financial responsibility, and an understanding of what it takes to succeed in the workplace. Check. A brighter future for thousands of young people. Check.
San Francisco Summer Jobs+, a partnership between United Way’s MatchBridge program and the San Francisco Mayor’s Office, was an enormous success, providing opportunities for thousands of urban youth to get experience in the workplace. (…)
I always had dreams, but before my internship, everyone said I wasn’t going to go to college just because I am a foster youth,” said Elexus Hunter, 18-year-old Summer Jobs+ participant and Clark Atlanta University student, “I was doubting myself, but at my internship at BRE Properties, everyone pushed me to achieve my goals. I am now the first in my family to attend a four-year college.”
*Read more from the United Way of the Bay Area website