Few challenges are more critical for our nation than improving the economic plight of disadvantaged, often minority, young people. There are estimated to be 6.7 million youth in the United States–ages 16-24–who are both out of school and out of work. A disturbing number are tied up in the criminal justice system. There is no question that the solutions required are both deep and multifaceted, demanding increased access to early childhood education, improving K-12 schools, reforming our criminal justice system, and boosting early interventions that encourage disadvantaged youth to stay in school and seek higher education opportunities that fit their aspirations.
But the magnitude of such comprehensive solutions does not mean we should not start taking some simple steps where growing evidence shows it can make a difference. One such area is summer jobs. Years ago, some had wondered whether a summer job alone could make a lasting difference. Since then, there has been increased academic evidence that similar summer jobs “plus” programs–efforts that combine summer employment opportunities, mentorship, and social skills-building programs–can have a significant impact on reducing crime, improving educational performance, and raising earnings and employment potential. This was the evidenced-based model promoted by the non-profit and private sector leaders on the White House Council for Community Solutions appointed by President Obama.
One example, the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) run by New York City’s Department of Youth & Community Development. SYEP has been shown by numerous evidence-based studies conducted by New York University and the National Bureau of Economic Research to have significant positive impacts on academic performance and future employability. The program provides low-income youth with six weeks of paid employment, coupled with workshops on job readiness, financial literacy, and social growth. Participation in SYEP is shown to increase average earnings and increase the probability of employment by 71% in the year of program participation. The program also resulted in small positive effects on academic performance and school attendance.