Mayor R.T. Rybak announced today that Step-Up has created 268 jobs so far this summer for Minneapolis teens.
"This is great progress, but we've still got a ways to go," Mayor Rybak said. "It's not too late yet for this summer. I challenge every Minneapolis business and others to create a job for a teen this summer." Existing summer youth employment programs matched approximately 800 teens with jobs this summer in Minneapolis. The additional 268 jobs through Step-Up puts the total for workforce center-facilitated jobs at approximately 1068 jobs. Minneapolis workforce centers say over 2000 teens in Minneapolis are still looking for summer jobs. The Mayor announced the Executive Committee of the Empowerment Zone has approved $200,000 in funding for Step-Up. He listed businesses and other organizations who have "stepped up" so far this to provide summer jobs for teens, including Old Chicago, T.J. Maxx, Minnesota Public Radio, the Hyatt Regency and the Minneapolis Public Schools (complete list attached at the end of post). Mayor Rybak also accepted a $1400 check on behalf of Step-Up from Mariann Buddy, pastor at St. John's Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. Three other Episcopal congregations have passed the plate for Step-Up, including St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral of Minneapolis, St. Martin's by-the-Lake of Minnetonka Beach and St. David's of Minnetonka. Step-Up is a new initiative of the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board designed to connect Minneapolis youth to summer opportunities in employment, education, and recreation. Rybak is challenging other businesses to "step up" to create summer jobs in what has been called the worst job market for teens in 38 years. Interested employers and teens can call What's Up? At (612) 399-9999 for more information about Step-Up. Minneapolis employers who have Stepped Up to hire teens this summer through Step Up: American Frontier Mortgage Club Tix GMAC-RFC Groveland Financial Corporation Heakin Research Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin's Office Hennepin County Land Survey Crew HGA Inc. Hyatt Regency J. Waino Gifts Jacinth Productions Joyce Peterson JT Worldwide.com Mayor R.T. Rybak's Office Minneapolis Public Schools Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce Minnesota Public Radio NAACP Minneapolis Old Chicago Paradise Pizza Rakhma Homes Riverwest Apartments Thrivent T.J. Maxx West Bank Mutual Management Company YMCA Laura Sether Office of Mayor Rybak Standish-Ericsson TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
