Mayor’s Youth Academy seeks businesses to invest in youth workforce

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The City of Richmond Mayor’s Youth Academy (MYA) is recruiting Richmond employers who can hire youth for a six-week summer work experience as part of the Summer Employment Program.

“When local employers decide to partner with our program, they are helping to build a contingent of young people who will grow to reinvest in the community in the very same way. This is a powerful model,” says the new Economic Development Program Administrator from the Office of Community Wealth Building, Caprichia Smith Moses.

The Mayor’s Youth Academy, which serves youth ages 14-19, has grown into one of the Office of Community Wealth Building’s flagship initiatives. As more employers have partnered with the Summer Employment Program, more of Richmond’s youth have benefitted from job readiness training, leadership development and mentoring experiences.

Last summer, employers included GRTC, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Virginia Department of Taxation, and the Department of Justice Services, among others.

“We really enjoy working with candidates from MYA,” says Bente Clatchey, Summer Intern Supervisor for the Human Resources Division of the Virginia Department of Taxation. “It gets better every year, and we have been working with them for at least 10 years. The interns are professional, willing to learn, and are interested in going places in life. We look forward to seeing them and are hoping to increase our number of hires.”

Employers interested in creating summer work opportunities for Richmond’s high school youth should contact MYA’s Interim Program Manager Jenee Pearson (804-646-0258, Mayorsyouthacademy@richmondgov.com).

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