WORCESTER—Funds to the tune of $1.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA] will earmarked for youth employment opportunities in the city, City Manager Eric Batista announced on Thursday.
This move comes in response to unexpected cuts to the state-funded summer youth employment program, YouthWorks, which faced a 70 percent budget reduction. The cuts would have eliminated more than 600 job opportunities for youth aged 16-22 and affected nearly 100 employer partners in the region. To address this, Batista allocated ARPA funds to bridge the gap in youth employment funding in Worcester, including staffing for Recreation Worcester in FY25, said an announcement from the city.
“It is critical our youth have strong community ties and the opportunity to gain workforce experience, especially during the summer months,” said Batista in a statement.
“We are grateful for the city manager and Worcester’s investment in youth and young adults,” said Boys & Girls Club of Worcester CEO Liz Hamilton in a press release. “A summer job through YouthWorks makes a big impact for the kids we serve at the Boys & Girls Club.
“This workforce development program helps kids gain strong social and employment skills, introduces them to new experiences, provides them with a safe and mentoring environment, and keeps them engaged during the critical summertime months. Studies have shown that youth employment in the summer creates a healthy and vital community with economic growth and a decrease in violence and risky behavior.”
“By providing young residents with valuable work experience and professional development opportunities, YouthWorks helps to cultivate the skills and confidence necessary for success in today’s competitive job market,” said Timothy Murray, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce’s president and CEO, in a statement. “Investing in our youth today ensures a stronger, more capable workforce for tomorrow, benefiting our entire community.”
Marybeth Campbell, Worcester Community Action Council’s chief executive officer, remarked that the funding is a “game changer” for the city’s youth this summer, and affects nearly 100 sites that employ teens in childcare, healthcare, summer camps and other sectors.
“We at the United Way of Central Massachusetts have long been a supporter of youth employment,” said United Way of Central Massachusetts President and CEO Tim Garvin in a statement. “We recognize and understand that for many, this is truly the beginning of personal workforce development. The skills learned will carry through so many of these new employees’ careers.
“Further, the summer YouthWorks program not only teaches the skills of being a valuable employee, these ‘new employees’ also fill critically important positions in so many of our youth development partner agencies. We are deeply proud of the city manager and the City of Worcester; bravo and thank you.”
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