“Given the challenges of the last couple of years, I am so excited to kick off enrollment for Summer Rising for what will be one of the most important summers our students will have,” said Schools Chancellor David Banks in a statement. “This is a real opportunity for students to return to the joy of learning by engaging in rigorous academic programming while also getting out beyond the four walls of their classrooms and experiencing all our city has to offer.”
Started by former mayor Bill de Blasio, Summer Rising is for children of all ages who have fallen behind in the learning process due to COVID-19 induced quarantine. The program provides summer learning and enrichment courses to help strengthen and pull students’ academic skills back up to standard while helping their social and emotional skills.
And it’s back. Summer Rising’s registration began on Monday.
Overall, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that the city is committing $101 million in FY’23 for summer activities for 10,000 more K-12 students who’ll be a part of the Summer Rising program, The city also stated that this current investment will bring the number of slots funded by New York City Department of Youth and Community Development to 110,000, for a total program capacity of 210,000 slots.
During Adams’ State of the City address at the historic Kings Theater in Brooklyn, the mayor proclaimed his agenda to be one for the people.
“This is the city New Yorkers want and deserve, and it is all possible if we work together,” said Adams. “There are four main areas that we will focus on as we go forward: protecting our people, growing our economy, uplifting our youth, and building our infrastructure. Our new budget reflects those values and provides for them. This budget puts people—especially those who have often been left behind—front and center.”
And there are employers putting the word out that they’re looking for youths to work for the summer.
Phipps Neighborhoods, a non-profit social service provider in New York City, announced that it is looking for applications for the Summer Youth Employment Program, which will connect close to 1,000 kids from the Bronx and Upper Manhattan with “career exploration opportunities and paid work experiences.”
Last year the non-profit served around 575 students.
“This year, the Summer Youth Employment Program will employ 100,000 young people across the five boroughs, giving them the opportunity to learn valuable life skills while experiencing the value of earning a wage for their work,” stated Andre White, president & CEO of Phipps Neighborhoods. “Our young people must play a role in the city’s ongoing recovery from COVID, and helping them find good jobs for the summer can do just that. I encourage all young people looking to have a productive summer to participate in the Summer Youth Employment Program and to join us at Phipps Neighborhoods, where we can pair you with the right company.”
Some of the positions available include customer service representatives, marketing officials, after-school and camp counselors, administrative coordinators, and healthcare representatives.