the big picture
We are happy to report that the 11th season of SummerWorks (and the 2nd during the COVID-19 pandemic) was very safe and successful. Building on the work of 2020, the team continued to work closely with employers to increase the number of outdoor and remote work opportunities for young people most in need of quality job opportunities.
Innovation and improvement were also key themes of the summer. A record number of youth received soft skills training through the program’s new online platform. We also expanded the number of work-and-learn opportunities for youth interested in science, technology, and entrepreneurship. In this report, you’ll hear directly from some of the SummerWorks participants who benefited from these initiatives.
Quality jobs for the youth who needed them the most
SummerWorks’ Vision is for all Louisville youth to possess the skills, resources, and networks needed to connect to employment, economic opportunity, and lifelong career success. Since Mayor Fischer founded the program in 2011, SummerWorks has made it a priority to find resources and jobs for the young people in our community who may not be able to access them otherwise.
This season, more than 50% of the program’s participants were minorities and/or from high priority zip codes in West and South Louisville. As always, youth worked in a wide variety of jobs in private companies, nonprofits, and public agencies.
More life-changing opportunities to work and learn
SummerWorks expanded two of its signature work-and-learn initiatives, TECC Boss and the Louisville Science Pathways. Participants of TECC Boss, which is run in partnership with the nonprofit TECH-nique, worked in teams to develop mobile app concepts that could make a positive change in the community. This program went from 40 youth participants in 2020 to 60 this season. In July, youth participants presented mobile applications they designed at an event at Story Louisville (photo gallery below).
The Louisville Science Pathways, a partnership with the University of Louisville, gave high school students the opportunity to work alongside scientists in real labs and help conduct research. This program has grown to include 20 participants, who each presented their research to their peers at the University in August. You can hear from three of the participants in the video below.
“It really gave me an interest in neuroscience...I think I want to become a surgeon now.”
Employer participation comes roaring back
Private sector participation in SummerWorks rebounded dramatically after a dip in 2020, with more than 100 private companies hiring youth this season. Some of the program’s longtime top partner employers, including Humana, GE Appliances, Kentucky Kingdom, UPS, Thorntons, and Kroger hired hundreds of young people. In addition, 36 nonprofits and public agencies hired youth for sponsored positions.
Jefferson County Public Schools also increased their involvement in SummerWorks in a big way. In addition to working with SummerWorks through the Academies of Louisville, JCPS became a major program employer for the first time. They hired a total of 58 youth to work as Leadership Counselors at their Summer Backpack League sites. Greater Louisville Inc. has also continued to be a key partner in helping recruit local businesses to partner with SummerWorks.
“When you can get a summer job in an area you’re passionate about and learning about in school, that’s when you have an authentic learning opportunity.”
Investing in more work readiness and support
In recent years, partner employers have encouraged SummerWorks to provide work readiness (soft skills) training to youth. So this season SummerWorks rolled out a comprehensive work readiness training through its new online platform. A total of 728 SummerWorks participants completed this training, which is a large increase from past years.
In addition, all of the youth who worked in sponsored positions were matched with a job coach for the season. Job coaches check in regularly with participants to make sure they have the resources, support, and guidance they need to be successful in their summer job.
Major Funders
Thank you to all of our funders for making all of this work possible. Your generosity is helping to promote equity and is preparing the next generation of leaders in our city and beyond.
