For many years the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) has positively impacted our city youth. Whether interning at a job, or simply staying off the streets, the SYEP has been the difference maker for many of the city youth during the summer months. Last year, over 75,000 NYC youth took part in the program. They worked for over 13,000 employers.

On April 7th 2020, without warning, the city canceled the program citing the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the cancelation. Being that it is more than 2 months away, we believe the decision should be made closer to the start of the program. Many families and many youth look forward to this program during the summer breaks. I know many people who had their lives turned around because of this very program. Additionally, many small businesses rely on the free labor as a way to get by during the slow summer months. Unfortunately, this will be another blow for many small businesses.

Sign this petition to have them reconsider, and bring back this vital program for our city youth!