(Washington, DC) – As she continues the effort to create pathways to the middle class for District residents, tomorrow Mayor Bowser will sign her legislation to expand the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Mayor Bowser proposed expanding the program to youth ages 22-24 for the first time ever, and earlier this month, the Council passed funding to expand SYEP for the Fiscal Year 2015, but funding for Fiscal Year 2016 remains at risk.
The signing will be held at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center in Ward 8. Under Chairman Mendelson’s budget proposal the R.I.S.E. Center and nearby Gateway Pavilion lack operating funds to remain open in Fiscal Year 2016. Both centers are vital community resources that also foster job growth. Mayor Bowser will call on the Council to not take #TwoStepsBack and keep the R.I.S.E. Center and Pavilion open.
Additional Background:
On the first day SYEP expansion launched in 2015, more than 1,100 22-24 year olds applied. In total, nearly 2,500 young people applied for 1,000 slots. At the end of the six-week SYEP program, participants will be offered assistance with securing additional education, training, and full-time employment.
Who:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
City Administrator Rashad Young
Chief of Staff John Falcicchio
Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity Courtney R. Snowden
At-large Councilmember Vincent Orange
Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander
Ward 8 Councilmember LaRuby May
Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd
When:
Tuesday, May 26 at 10 am
Where:
R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center
2730 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE
*Closest Metro: Congress Heights Metro Station*
*Bus Routes: A2*
Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to [email protected].