Mayor Edwin M. Lee, the United Way Bay Area, San Francisco City Departments and private sector employers kicked off the Mayor’s Youth Jobs+ 2017 initiative today. This program challenges employers of both large and small companies to create jobs, internships and paid job training for San Francisco residents. Today’s event at the Green Room of the War Memorial resulted in more than 6,100 on-the-spot pledged jobs for local youths, closing in on the program’s ongoing goal of 7,000 jobs.

“Hiring a youth today represents an investment in our future,” said Mayor Lee. “Every young person who lives in San Francisco should have an opportunity and access to a job. Youth Jobs+ strengthens our City and neighborhood communities, especially for our low-income and disadvantaged youth. Today, I called upon employers, in all business sectors, across San Francisco, to join us in supporting the future of our young people by creating meaningful employment opportunities this summer and beyond.”