Mayor Lee Launches Youth Jobs + Initiative to Create Jobs for San Francisco Youth This Summer & Year Round

Public & Private Partnership Builds on Success of Initiative That Placed More Than 7,600 Youth in 2014, Including Disconnected & At-Risk Youth, Into Jobs & Paid Internships

Posted May 21, 2015

Mayor Edwin M. Lee and the United Way of the Bay Area along with City Departments and private sector employers kicked off the Youth Jobs+ 2015 initiative, challenging employers to create jobs, internships and paid job training for San Francisco youth (ages 14-24 years old). Now in its fourth year, Mayor Lee’s initiative connects San Francisco employers with low-income and disconnected San Francisco youth so that they can share in the City’s economic success and get the practical job experience and skills they will need to succeed in today’s economy.

“This is the best investment that we can make for the success of San Francisco’s youth,” said Mayor Lee. “Last year, we worked together and exceeded our own aggressive goal and placed more than 7,600 young adults in jobs and paid internships. We need to continue investing in programs that strengthen our youth workforce, especially for our low-income and disadvantaged youth. Once again, I am again calling upon employers, large and small, across San Francisco to join us in supporting the future of our young people by creating meaningful employment opportunities for our youth this summer and beyond.”

In 2012, President Barack Obama issued a challenge to businesses, non-profits, and government: Work together to provide pathways to employment for low-income and disconnected youth. Almost 100 private sector employers including companies like Starbucks, Old Navy and Square with over 60 nonprofits such as Glide Memorial, the Boys and Girls Club and the Third Street Youth Center and Clinic joined over 55 City agencies to provide San Francisco youth with exciting opportunities that offered valuable work experiences in office work, the arts, computer science, retail, banking, engineering, landscaping and in dozens of other fields.
United Way of the Bay Area is leading San Francisco’s effort in support of Mayor Lee’s Youth Jobs+ Initiative along with Department of Children Youth and their Families (DCYF), Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

“Investment in our City’s future leaders and future economy is so important—and we are fortunate to have a Mayor in San Francisco who leads the charge in these efforts through Youth Jobs+,” said United Way of the Bay Area Chief Executive Officer Anne Wilson. “United Way is proud to be a leader in bringing together all of these partners in business, nonprofit and community organizations to this vital program for a fourth year.”

The Summer Jobs+ challenge started four years ago. In 2012, San Francisco had a goal to place 5,000 youth in jobs and paid internships; 5,204 youth were placed that summer. In 2013, the goal was to place 6,000 youth; 6,817 were placed last summer alone. In 2014, the program expanded, now called Youth Jobs+, to include placing individuals in employment and training opportunities beyond the summer so that they continue to have the discipline, training, and work exposure; while experiencing the connection between their education and their future careers. As a result, 7,678 were placed in jobs and internships.

“In the foster care system, nobody really tells you how to find a job or prepare for an interview,” said 2013 Youth Jobs+ participant Jose Toj Pol. “Youth Jobs+ is a really great program that has given me skills that I will have for the rest of my life! I would recommend it to any young person trying to find a job.”

In California, the latest unemployment figure for youth ages 16-19 is 22.8 percent, more than triple the rate for the general population which is at 6.5 percent. Many youth that have participated in past years were from low-income families. Many youth that have been placed has also been disconnected and at-risk youth who overcame significant barriers including those from the foster care system, the justice system, and those who do not have a right to work. The Transitional Aged Youth Initiative (TAYSF) estimates that almost 9,000 young adults are neither working nor enrolled in school. They estimate an additional 5,000 youth ages 14-24 are undocumented with little or no legal options for employment.

“SFMade is proud to be a part of Youth Jobs+ where our core value is creating job opportunities especially for those in our low income communities. As an organization made up of local manufacturers, our goal is to ensure we expose and connect young adults and youth to employment opportunities and skillsets they need so that one day, they too can aspire to be an entrepreneurs and learn to transform a great idea into a thriving business,” said Kate Sofis, Executive Director of SFMade, a non-profit with a mission to build and support a vibrant manufacturing sector in San Francisco.

Companies from a range of industries have sponsored this public-private initiative including Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Wells Fargo, PG&E (a founding partner), Citi Foundation and Cities for Financial Empowerment. Financial contributions are used to subsidize internships and additional youth summer enrichment programs. Employers that have already committed to hiring youth this summer and throughout the year include the California Academy of Sciences, Starbucks, Levi Strauss & Co., Target, Walgreens, Salesforce, and LinkedIn.

Employers or youth interested in participating or learning more about San Francisco Youth Jobs+, go to sfyouthjobs.org or call 3-1-1 or 2-1-1.

Please click here to view 2015 press release.

Past press releases and related articles:

4/12/2012 Mayor Lee, Leader Pelosi & United Way of The Bay Area Announce San Francisco Summer Jobs + Initiative to Create 5,000 Summer Jobs for San Francisco Youth 
5/2/2012 White House announces nearly 300,000 summer jobs and other employment opportunities for youth and new online tool to help youth access opportunities
4/10/2013 Mayor Ed Lee eager to put youths to work this summer
4/30/2013 Mayor Lee Launches Summer Jobs + 2013 Initiative to Create Unprecedented 6,000 Jobs & Paid Internships for San Francisco Youth this Summer
4/30/2013 Mayor Ed Lee wants record 6,000 summer jobs
5/1/2013 San Francisco Wants To Put 6000 Kids To Work This Summer
5/13/2013 Mayor Lee and United Way Host Job Resource Fair for Youth 
9/4/2013 SF summer program aims to tackle youth joblessness
5/21/2014 Mayor Lee Launches Summer Jobs + 2014 Initiative to Create Unprecedented 7,000 Jobs for San Francisco Youth This Summer & Year Round
5/21/2014 Summer is upon us, time for Mayor Ed Lee’s job program
5/22/2014 Job program gives teens head start
5/30/2014 San Francisco begins push for 7,000 summer jobs for youth
2013 San Francisco Summer Jobs+ Report
2014 San Francisco Summer Jobs+ Report

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Who can participate?

A: Young adults ages 16-24 are able to participate. You must be ready to work and available for jobs in San Francisco, but you do not need to have any previous experience.

Q: What types of jobs are available?

A: Most jobs are temporary and part-time, although some permanent and full-time positions are available as well. Most positions are entry-level and include customer service, retail, sales, food service, office support, skill-building internships, work-training opportunities, maintenance and hospitality.

Q: Are the positions paid?

A: Yes, all positions are paid. Most positions are either paid the San Francisco minimum wage or there is a stipend.

Q: How do I register?

A: Go to http://sfyouthjobs.org/find-jobs/.
Click on “Register Now or Login” in the menu on the left-hand side of that page.
Fill out the two pages of registration, and don’t forget to attach your resume on the first page!
Once you have finished registration, check your email to make sure you received a welcome email with your Candidate Reference Number, which you will use to log back in.

Q: Where can I find out more information?

A: Please go to http://sfyouthjobs.org/youth/ or contact the SF Summer Jobs+ Team via email at sfsj@uwba.org.