County leaders hope a program to create summer jobs for teens will help cut down on the crime that traditionally rises that time of year. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday to create 500 paid summer internship and job opportunities for at-risk and low income youth.
The Board action on a proposal by President Dave Cortese and Supervisor Cindy Chavez authorizes the County to partner with the non-profit Work2Future to coordinate with public, private and nonprofit employers in providing paid internships and employment opportunities for youth and young adults from 16 to 21 years old. This pilot program would target foster youth, CalWorks families, low-income and disconnected youth.
The plan, which was first proposed by Cortese and Chavez in September 2014, was met by support from the City of San Jose. On February 9, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo stated in a letter that the City would be willing to match funding for the program.
“I am grateful for the outpouring of support from my colleagues on the Board, the City of San José, and from the overall community,” said Board President Cortese. “The unanimous approval of this pilot youth summer jobs program is a clear message across our region, state and nation that we in Santa Clara County are willing to use every tool at our disposal to make our community safer and more prosperous.”
“We know from first-hand experience that increasing job opportunities decreases the incidence of high-risk behaviors,” said Supervisor Cindy Chavez. “In addition to the fact that it is smart public safety and economic policy, it’s the right thing to do.”
In 2012, President Obama announced a public-private partnership initiative to create 110,000 new summer jobs for youth. Since then, summer youth jobs programs in cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago and San Francisco have resulted in dramatic reductions in crime rates among target populations. Studies have also shown that high school students with summer employment experience tend to be more successful later in their careers.
In January 2015, the U.S. News and World Report stated that there has been a 40% decline in summer youth employment particularly among low-income and racial and ethnic minority youth.
For more information about the summer jobs program, contact
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