Baltimore, MD – On Monday, July 10th 2023, the 50th year of the YouthWorks program kicked off with over 7,700 YouthWorkers expected to report for their first day of work in Baltimore City!

For the past five decades, the YouthWorks program has placed teens and young adults, ages 14 to 21, in summer employment opportunities with private, nonprofit, city, state and government employers. Participants work in a variety of industries and gain career-specific skills over a five week summer session.

“For 50 years, YouthWorks has been a long-standing program in Baltimore that has connected our young people to phenomenal job opportunities within the city of Baltimore,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Our YouthWorkers play a vital role in our city at workplaces across our community, and the program has been transformational for so many young people who’ve gone through the program. These opportunities help our young people gain practice skills and experience and through this program we are investing in the future of our city. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and willingness to learn make YouthWorkers not only valuable assets to all of our agencies during their time here, but help build them into leaders for their communities for years to come.”

In 2023, 7,890 youth were offered summer employment at a rate of 13.25 per hour. Last year, 5,819 youth participated. 591 summer employers have hired city youth. This is 120 more summer employers than any year since 2018. Youth are gaining exposure to a breadth of industries. Employers include the Orioles, Baltimore Gas and Electric, Soccer Without Borders, Baltimore Brothers, RISE Arts, HeartSmiles Pennsylvania Avenue Neighborhood Association and hundreds more.

“YouthWorks is a critical initiative to deliver economic justice to our city and create opportunities for young people to thrive in the workforce. Our program provides young Baltimoreans with valuable connections, a meaningful community and the skills to succeed. We look forward to the next 50 years of serving Baltimore’s youth!” said MacKenzie Garvin, Acting Director of the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Employment Development.

To learn more about the YouthWorks program, go to youthworks.oedworks.com