KC mayor announces summer jobs program for youth
Kansas City Mayor Sly James announced a new summer youth employment program Monday that was long on hope although short on details.
The particulars, James hopes, will come later from an 18-member commission that begins meeting next month.
But the goal, James said, is to find a job for any kid in the city who wants one.
“There is no better social program than a job,” James said as members of the new commission stood around him at the offices of Kansas City Power & Light Co.
About 100 kids earn paychecks working in various city departments each summer through Kansas City’s current youth jobs program, Bright Future.
The new Hire KC Youth program will also be coordinated by the mayor’s office but would rely on private funds and opportunities outside City Hall.
James is counting on commission members to recruit employers to the effort.
The co-leaders are Heather Humphrey, a senior vice president at KCP&L, and the Rev. David Gilmore, pastor at Centennial United Methodist Church.
Other members include business executives and representatives from labor and community organizations.
Last summer, about 3.4 million youths nationwide who wanted jobs couldn’t find one, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
At 14.3 percent, that was double the overall jobless rate, with young blacks having the hardest time finding work. The jobless rate for them was 25 percent, compared with 12 percent for whites.
To reach Mike Hendricks, call 816-234-4738, or send email to mhendricks@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published November 17, 2014 at 3:11 PM with the headline "KC mayor announces summer jobs program for youth."