MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Another phase of the city’s plan to combat youth violence is ready to roll out this summer.
Mayor A C Wharton unveiled the MPLOY Youth Summer Experience to give Memphis teenagers and young adults something constructive to do, which is what young people have continuously asked for since conversations sparked last fall when there was an attack outside Kroger.
City Councilwoman Wanda Halbert pushed this summer jobs program on the city council.
“It will include opportunities to prepare for college, life experiences, volunteer services,” Halbert said.
The program has room for 1,000 young people, aged 14 to 21.
The city council approved $2 million for the six-week-program, which pairs young people and businesses/groups.
Young people will make between $8-11 an hour, ideally in an industry that interests them.
That includes healthcare, banking, arts, corporations, retail, athletics, and nonprofit work.
Already, 800 young people have applied.
Youth selected through the lottery process will get positions based on age and education level.
To be eligible, youths must attend one Youth Empowerment Symposium.
One already took place.
There will be additional ones March 17th at Stax Music Academy, March 18th at New Direction Christian Church, March 19th at First Baptist Church – Broad, and March 28th at Memphis Athletic Ministries.
Still, the program currently only caters to 1,000 young people.
They might not be the children causing the problems.
“Will we have enough? No, we will not. I wish we could. We’re talking about 800 children have already applied. This is why I am everyday traveling, begging asking for help in taking care of our youth, and I’m not going to give up,” Wharton said.
Wharton told WREG he will be traveling in the next couple weeks outside of the city to gather more support for his youth plan.
Private donors have already contributed to youth summer camps, 901 BLOC Squad, and parenting centers.
The mayor originally asked the city council to consider funding a Youth Ambassadors program, but the council opted to fund the jobs program to help a greater number of young people.
The jobs will begin June 1st and run through July 31st.
Young people or businesses that are interested in taking part may visit www.cityofmemphisyouth.org.
