MIDJERSEY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

THE MAYOR'S SUMMER YOUTH INITIATIVE IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PUT CITY OF TRENTON YOUTH TO WORK EACH AND EVERY SUMMER AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE LIFE SKILLS NECESSARY TO BE AN EFFECTIVE AND CONTRIBUTING PART OF A PROFESSIONAL WORK ENVIRONMENT. TO THAT END, THE MAYOR'S SUMMER YOUTH INITIATIVE IS A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN WHICH THE CITY OF TRENTON IDENTIFIES THE TARGET YOUTH AND THE PRIVATE PARTNERS WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE EITHER JOB OPPORTUNITIES OR DIRECT FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM. WE ESTIMATE THE COST OF A SINGLE JOB OVER THE COURSE OF THE SIX (6) WEEK TARGET PERIOD TO BE APPROXIMATELY 2,000. EACH 2,000 MONETARY DONATION WILL CONSTITUTE AS AN ADDITIONAL "JOB" THAT THE CITY OF TRENTON CAN OFFER. ANY FUNDING COLLECTED WILL BE ISSUED TO PARTNER 501(C)(3) NON-PROFITS TO PROVIDE THE FINANCIAL MEANS NECESSARY TO HIRE YOUTH FOR THE EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. THE MIDJERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THROUGH ITS 501(C)(3) FOUNDATION, THE MIDJERSEY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (MIDCED), WILL FACILITATE THE PLACEMENT OF YOUTH DIRECTLY AND IS WORKING WITH THE CITY OF TRENTON TO COORDINATE TRANSPORTATION FOR YOUTH FROM A CENTRAL LOCATION IN TRENTON TO EACH PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. FURTHERMORE, IN FUTURE YEARS, THE CHAMBER IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY OF TRENTON WILL DEVELOP PROGRAMMING TO PROVIDE ONE-DAY OF JOB SKILLS TRAINING FOR EACH YOUTH WHICH WILL COVER THE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO OPERATE IN A PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT. IN THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION, WE SEEK TO ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAM IS KEPT CURRENT AND MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THE CITY OF TRENTON BY ADDITIONALLY FORMING A STEERING COMMITTEE THAT WILL MEET FROM OCTOBER OF EACH YEAR THROUGH THE FOLLOWING SUMMER IN ORDER TO REEVALUATE THE PROGRAM AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO IMPROVE SERVICE AND GROW THE OPERATION. WE WILL ENSURE THAT THE STEERING COMMITTEE INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES FROM OUR FUNDERS, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND THE CITY ITSELF. WE FEEL THIS PROGRAM IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE CITY OF TRENTON AND PROVIDES AN OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE AVENUE FOR JOB TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUTH IN THE CITY. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT YOU WILL FEEL THE SAME WAY AND ARE EXCITED TO HAVE YOUR PARTICIPATION AS WE TAKE THIS MONUMENTAL MOVE TOGETHER.