Chapel Hill Invests in Youth Through Summer Employment Programme

Chapel Hill is proactively shaping its future by empowering local teens through its Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).This initiative provides paid work experience adn equips young individuals with essential skills,offering a firsthand look at local government operations.

Program Overview

The Summer Youth Employment Program is designed to connect the Town of Chapel Hill with its teen community. Zequel hall, who leads the program, emphasizes that it provides “a great opportunity for the Town of Chapel Hill to connect with teens in our community.” It offers participants a background view of how the town operates, showcasing the interactions between different departments and community partners, while also providing new skills and paid work experience.

Real-World Experiences

The program provides varied experiences across different town departments. Participants gain insights and practical skills that help shape their career aspirations. Consider these experiences:

• Chapel Hill Police Department: Carlos, a program participant, worked at the Chapel Hill Police Department. he described the experience as “really amazing so far,” highlighting opportunities to learn about the daily operations of a police station, inventory cars, and participate in ride-alongs.
• Chapel Hill Public Library: Irene, another participant, found her first job in the United States through the SYEP, working at the Chapel Hill Public Library. Her responsibilities included shelving books and assisting with movie nights. She noted, “maybe in the future I can come back as a Town of Chapel Hill permanent employee.”
• Seymour Center and Police Department: Malachi split his time between the Seymour Center, working with seniors, and the Chapel Hill Police Department. He enjoyed both experiences, noting that working with seniors was “pretty fun” and his time at the police department inspired him to consider a career in law enforcement.He described seeing “how the police department works, meeting the different divisions, like investigations, canine, and patrol.”

Building Community and Skills

The SYEP extends its impact beyond the individual participants, fostering relationships with their families and the broader community. Hall states, “Along with creating relationships with the students, we’re also creating relationships with families.” The program provides a supportive surroundings where families gain confidence in the town’s commitment to youth development.

Financial Literacy and Career Development

The program includes workshops focused on financial literacy, interview techniques, and resume writing. These workshops are designed to equip participants with essential life skills, preparing them for future employment opportunities. Carlos noted that the financial workshops “really helped me understand and sort of grow a little bit in a sense,like mature a little bit and develop,and start thinking far ahead in the future of the things that I want to do.”

A Mutually Beneficial Relationship

The Summer Youth employment Program is designed to benefit both the participants and the Town of Chapel Hill. Hall emphasizes that “One of the opportunities that we take each summer is to learn from the kids.” By gathering feedback and insights from the youth, the town can continuously improve the program and better serve future participants.

Looking Ahead

The connections made through the SYEP often extend beyond the summer months, with participants returning for advice and mentorship. Hall expresses his passion for the program, stating, “My favorite part about the program is interacting with the youth and there’s an opportunity for us to provide mentorship, but also we gain a lot from it as well.”

The Summer Youth Employment Program in Chapel Hill represents a vital investment in the community’s future. By providing meaningful work experiences, skill-building opportunities, and ongoing mentorship, the program empowers young people to achieve their full potential. As Carlos aptly put it,”This program serves as a learning opportunity and a building block to help you develop and learn new things.” If you’re a Chapel Hill teen seeking a transformative summer experience, consider applying for the Summer Youth Employment Program and take the first step toward building a brighter future.