Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the City of Memphis will receive federal stimulus funds to support the 2009 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).
Prior to the passage of the ARRA in February 2009, the City of Memphis had already committed to a summer employment program for youth ages 14 - 21 who reside within City limits. Over 7,000 youth applied for the program, which far exceeded the limited funding available to hire youth.
As a result of the federal stimulus funds, we will able to:
- Offer more jobs
- Extend the number of weeks in the SYEP
- Open the program to Shelby County residents
- Increase the age limit to 24
The SYEP Application ended April 26, 2009.
If you are selected to participate in SYEP you will need to provide documents to verify information on your application and your eligibility for the program. Therefore, we encourage you to start gathering documentation now. These include:
- Proof of Age (birth certificate, US Passport or Alien Registration Card or Tennessee ID or drive license)
- Citizenship Status (US Birth Certificate, US Passport or Alien Registration Card or Certificate of Naturalization)
- Social Security card
- Proof of Address (utility bill, telephone bill, cable bill, lease agreement or mortgage contract or three official mailings from a Federal, State, or City agency)
- Proof of Family Income or Public Assistance
- Selective Service Registration (for males 18 and over)
We are excited about this new commitment of federal funds to SYEP - a valuable program that strives to prepare our young people for real-world work expectations, career instruction, financial literacy, academic improvement and social growth.
- Obtain application instructions
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides Memphis youth with summer employment and educational opportunities. Participants age 16 and older work in a variety of entry-level jobs at government agencies, hospitals, nonprofits, small businesses, law firms, museums, sports enterprises, and retail organizations. Participants ages 14 and 15 engage in career exploration activities in a classroom setting.
Through the Summer Youth Employment Program, Youth Achieve strives to:
- Increase youth awareness of career opportunities in industries that significantly impact the local economy
- Create real-world expectations of the workplace
- Increase youth readiness for work
- Increase youth awareness of government and community services
- Provide youth opportunities for financial literacy training, academic improvement, and social growth