Intern program could help get youth off the streets and into paying jobs in Reading
Jun. 13—Mayor Eddie Moran hopes a new city internship program will reduce youth violence and provide employment opportunities for the city's high-school age residents.
"With the recent spike in youth violence a couple of months ago, we as a government body agreed upon providing some additional funding for youth programming," the mayor said. "There could not have been a better time for moving this forward."
Moran and city officials outlined the proposed internship program Monday at a City Council committee of the whole meeting.
The initiative will be modeled on those in other similarly sized cities, the mayor said, and would be open to city students attending or recently graduated from public and private schools and home-schooled students.
"We're going to try and create a positive, safe environment for these kids," said Kenneth Miller, city training and recruiting coordinator. "Get them from the streets and get them work and give them something to do."
Miller would oversee the program with the youths working directly under supervisors in the city sustainability, human resources and mayor's offices, Reading Public Library and, possibly, with the city's recreation commission.
"They'll have excellent role modeling and mentoring opportunities," he said.
The interns will be selected through an application process, he said, and will focus on four areas of personal and professional development: leadership, financial literacy, academic exposure and professional networking.
The youths also will have opportunities to visit different colleges and universities within the city and to tour area businesses and meet local employers, he said.
If council approves the six-week pilot program, it will run from July 1 through Aug. 12.
Moran said if it is successful, the program can be expanded in future summers.
The mayor hopes to pay for the initiative with $100,000 in American Recovery Plan Act funds.
That amount would cover the hiring of 36 students, ages 15 through 18, who would each work 20 hours a week, said Jamar Kelly, city director of administrative services.
Some minor administrative costs for background checks and insurance liability coverage also would be incurred, Kelly said.
The city already plans to earmark at least $1 million of ARPA money for anti-violence initiatives, said Frank Denbowski, Moran's chief of staff and interim city manager, noting the summer youth employment program would fall under that category.
With summer approaching, Councilwoman Donna Reed is concerned there is not enough time to get the program up and running.
"You're coming to us at what I feel is pretty late," she said. "We're already well into June and you're looking for ARPA monies which council has to approve."
Moran said he is confident everything needed for a successful program is in alignment.
If council does not approve the use of ARPA funds, Denbowski said, the alternative would be to use the city's fund balance.
Denbowski also cited a 2019 report by the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northwestern University in Chicago that found summer youth employment programs reduce youth exposure to violence and delinquent behavior.
"Remember, we're talking about 36 young adults that could be off the street for six weeks," he said, noting the youths would learn skills and meet potential employers while earning wages. "It's a win-win situation."
Council plans to introduce an ordinance creating the internship program at its next meeting on Monday.
The distribution of ARPA funds will be voted on at a future meeting.
