Jobs For Youth Is Focus Of Summit In Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ) - More job opportunities for young people is the goal of the Youth Employment Summit, Tuesday in Detroit. Local leaders are working on strategies to not only find work, but to prepare kids for the workforce.

Dr. Geneva Williams of City Connect Detroit says it's matter of getting young people tuned into the world of work, as well as working with businesses who can provide those opportunities.

"Over the past several years, we've worked with the Detroit Youth Employment Consortium, which is a public/private collaboration of foundations, business people, nonprofits and others, to really to scale up the number of young people who have opportunities, particular during the summer months," Williams said.

DTE Energy Vice President Fred Shell heads the utility's foundation, which is donating a half-million dollars toward the "Grow Detroit's Young Talent" program, run by City Connect Detroit.

"We all remember that first job. I remember all the mistakes I made in that first job, but that taught me you can make mistakes and still survive. And, I think that young people today need that experience," Shell said.

The summit will also try to fight the affects of a down economy and cutbacks in government funding for youth employment.

Shell said there's a growing gap keeping kids from entering the labor force -- a combination, he says of an education gap and what he calls a  "hope gap."

"I think that many young people believe that there just isn't a job out there for them, and so they don't experience the kinds of things that would prepare them for that job," he said.

The DTE Energy Foundation and City Connect Detroit are working to identify hundreds of summer jobs for young people ages of 14-24. The summer jobs program begins in July and goes for six weeks. For more information on how to participate or to provide additional job opportunities call (313)879-1476 or go to www.growdetroitsyoungtalent.org/.