SEATTLE (July 8, 2024) — Today more than 250 youth and young adults started summer internships with City of Seattle and King County departments and with community-based organizations and private employers, thanks to participation in Seattle Human Services Department’s Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP).
During the summer months, programming for our youth and young adults is crucial,” said Seattle Human Services (HSD) Director Tanya Kim. “Last year marked our 50th anniversary of providing young people with internships, paid at one of the highest minimum wage rates in the country. The SYEP program remains one of our strongest investments that support successful futures for the next generation.”
This year, interns are stationed at more than 52 businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits including City of Seattle Mayors Office, Swedish Health Services, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Woodland Park Zoo, and Compass Housing Alliance.
A brief Seattle Channel video (“Seattle Youth Employment Program marks 50 years of empowering tomorrow's leaders” (1:53)) is available on YouTube.
“The first day of summer internships is always exciting,” said Senior Program Supervisor Elijah Isaiah Warren. “The next six weeks will fly by, with interns working on interesting and meaningful projects. Many will add significant evidence of their skills to their resumes. It’s a win-win situations for interns and their supervisors.”
“SYEP is known for summer internships, but those are part of a larger program supporting young people who live in a household with income at or below 80% Area Median Income,” said Dr. Shukri Olow, director of HSD’s Youth & Family Empowerment Division. “Summer internship applications are due in the spring, but youth and young adults aged 16–24 from households that meet the residency requirement can apply now for the SYEP Learn & Earn programs we offer starting in the fall.”
In 2023, 295 youth were placed in paid opportunities (both summer internships and stipends during the school year) within City departments and organizations across Seattle, collectively serving more than 23,000 hours and gaining important employment and life skills.
For more information about all SYEP opportunities, visit the program website at https://bit.ly/4eR9KqZ.
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