Help us advocate for youth summer jobs
As you surely know, there is a lot up in the air with the FY21 Providence city budget, due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the programs in danger of being cut is One Providence for Youth Summer Employment, which each year funds 2,000 summer jobs, matching young people from the city of Providence with local youth-serving organizations and professional industries.
AS220 Youth is one such employment provider, with youth jobs scheduled to begin July 13, 2020. This summer, AS220 Youth plans to hire 45 young people. In fact, youth have already applied, been interviewed, and offered positions, contingent on FY21 budget approval. Read more details about these positions here.
Why is this so important? Access to work experiences and training in adolescence, and public investment in summer work programs, are shown to positively impact academic and career success, and increase employment and earning rates over time (RI Kids Count Factbook 2019). Alumni from AS220 Youth are now RI business owners, organizational leaders, educators, working artists, community organizers, and more. We have seen again and again that investment in youth, and recognition of young people as leaders, results in stronger cities and communities.
We need your help advocating for the approval of these funds in the FY21 budget.
Councilman John J. Igliozzi, Chair, Ward7@providenceri.gov
Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan, Vice Chair, Ward5@providenceri.gov
Councilwoman Carmen Castillo, Ward9@providenceri.gov
Councilwoman Helen D. Anthony, Ward2@providenceri.gov
Councilman James Taylor, Ward8@providenceri.gov
Then copy and paste our message below, cc your City Council member, and hit send!
Dear Providence City Council:
I support the One Providence for Youth Summer Employment program, and request that the council approves full funding in FY21.
The program funds 2,000 career training opportunities for youth who have applied, been interviewed, and offered jobs – scheduled to begin in July 2020, either virtually or under social distancing guidelines.
AS220 Youth is a One Providence provider offering workforce development opportunities, hiring over 80 youth per year for 20 years. These jobs center youth leadership, elevate youth of color, and focus on social justice education, peer-to-peer learning, and civically engaged creative projects.
Please invest in the future of Providence by approving full funding for the One Providence for Youth Summer Employment program in FY21!
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Address]
Providence City Council Members:
Councilman John Goncalves, Ward1@providenceri.gov
Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune, Ward3@providenceri.gov
Councilman Nicholas J. Narducci, Ward4@providenceri.gov
Councilman Michael Correia, Ward6@providenceri.gov
Councilman Pedro Espinal, Ward10@providenceri.gov
Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris, Ward11@providenceri.gov
Councilwoman Katherine Kerwin, Ward12@providenceri.gov
Councilwoman Rachel Miller, Ward13@providenceri.gov
Councilman David A. Salvatore,Ward14@providenceri.gov
Councilwoman Sabina Matos, Ward15@providenceri.gov
Don’t know your councilor is? Look it up on the map!
Thank you so much for your support and all you do for AS220’s community of talented of young artists!