‘It’s all about who you know’—doesn’t that age-old adage ring true in so many ways? Today, we refer to it as social capital, but by any name, it remains an essential ingredient to achieving personal and professional success.

By now, you are likely familiar with the research study that ranked Charlotte last in upward mobility among the 50 largest metropolitan areas across the United States. The same research study noted that teenage labor force participation (i.e. establishing social capital) is a key factor for success in school and career development.

The City of Charlotte’s Mayor’s Youth Employment Program (MYEP) has been a steady force in the Charlotte region by working to address the upward mobility issue over the past three decades. The MYEP operates a 6-week summer internship program with a mission to provide all Charlotte youth with equitable career development opportunities to explore the world of work, build social capital and enhance economic mobility. More than 600 Charlotte youth have applied for internship placement for summer 2020.

The MYEP invites you to support this mission by becoming a host employer this upcoming summer. The MYEP team does the heavy-lifting to train, interview, and vet motivated youth who are placed with host employers to learn and be impactful in the workforce.

Program Snapshot

• Internships begin June 24 and end August 5 (6-week commitment)
• Minimum of 150 hours over the internship (Average of 25 hours/week)
• Interns are typically between 16 and 18 years old and must be at least 16
• Host employers agree to pay interns $9/hour (Only a $1,350 investment for 150 hours)

Why should you get involved? In Dr. Martin Luther King’s first book, Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story, Dr. King powerfully expresses how human progress is made:

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels inevitability. Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Without persistent effort, time itself becomes an ally of the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and social destruction. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”

To effectively mitigate the upward mobility crisis across our region, it will require leaders like you to provide career development and workforce experiences to the next generation.

Will you join us? Find out how at: CharlotteNC.gov/MYEP

APPLY NOW: bit.ly/MYEPHE20
MAYOR’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
Housing & Neighborhood Services
City of Charlotte
600 E. Trade St. Charlotte, NC 28202
PHONE: 704.336.5577