SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO — Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro is encouraging teens and young adults to apply for the annual Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) when applications open on April 1. SYEP offers residents ages 16-18 a summer job to learn skills and earn an income working in sectors like healthcare, information technology, marketing, construction and more. Parents, teens, and teachers can sign up to get a text notification when the application opens at youthsuccesssummit.org/work. The jobs begin on June 10 and last for eight weeks. Participants are eligible to earn up to $2,400.
To help youth and families connect with the right summer employment opportunity with more ease, Executive Shapiro’s Department of Job and Family Services teamed up with Youth Success Summit and Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG) to create a universal application for several programs. Once an application is submitted, staff will determine which program the youth and family are eligible to join. Some programs do have household income requirements (cannot exceed 200% of the federal poverty level); applicants will be notified if they do not qualify to participate.
In 2023, SYEP saw participation from 117 young people who collectively earned $242,023 working for employers like Goodwill Industries, Cuyahoga Falls Library, Hair Geek Studio, Let’s Grow Akron, and Clark Telecommunications.
To expand the program’s reach, reduce transportation barriers for youth and their families, and foster stronger relationships with the community, Executive Shapiro is encouraging local employers to participate in the program. Employers interested in becoming a worksite can visit tinyurl.com/SYEP24worksite to submit information via JOG’s Work Experience Interest Survey.
The Summer Youth Employment Program is first come first serve; residents should apply as soon as applications open at youthsuccesssummit.org/work. Questions? Contact Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates at 330-374-9445 or email success@jogworks.org.
Families looking for summer employment for a teen with a disability should contact Kenneth A. Crookston with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities at Kenneth.Crookston@ood.ohio.gov or 216-956-5843 for more information.
