SUMMIT COUNTY LAUNCHES 2025 SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO — Applications for Summit County's 2025 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) open April 1, offering teens and young adults aged 16-18 valuable work experience across healthcare, information technology, marketing, construction, and more sectors. "This program provides a dual benefit—allowing young people to earn up to $2,400 while building essential career skills," said County Executive Ilene Shapiro. "We're proud that last year's program employed nearly 800 youth who collectively earned over $1.5 million working with 335 local businesses." The 8-week program begins June 9. This year features several enhancements: A streamlined universal application process through partnerships with Youth Success Summit and Jobs for Ohio's Graduates (JOG) New banking options with Buckeye State Credit Union allowing 16-17 year olds to open accounts without parental co-signers Financial coaching and additional cash incentives through the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund's Summer Jobs Connect initiative Interested teens and families should apply as soon as possible at youthsuccesssummit.org/work as positions fill on a first-come, first-served basis. Some programs have household income requirements (cannot exceed 200% of the federal poverty level). For questions, contact Jobs for Ohio's Graduates at 330-374-9477 or email success@jogworks.org . Families seeking employment opportunities for teens with disabilities should contact Kenneth A. Crookston with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities at Kenneth.Crookston@ood.ohio.gov or 216-956-5843. Video testimonials from past participants are available at youthsuccesssummit.org/summer-youth-employment-program/ .