MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mayor A C Wharton said he was expecting 10,000 teens and young adults to sign up for the MPLOY summer jobs program, but when we checked, only 500 were available.
Participating businesses are hoping others will step up to the plate and give Memphis youth a chance.
Sameka Johnson with the Hattiloo Theatre said she was excited to have Memphis teens and young adults working with them this summer, as part of the MPLOY program.
“The Showstoppers is an event for those 14 to 21 years old. We’re actually looking for about 50 students to participate,” she explained.
At least 10 of those positions will be filled by MPLOY kids, the required number participating businesses need to provide for six weeks during the summer.
The goal was to get kids off the street, give them responsibility and job training.
James Nelson with the Office of Youth Services said, “They will have an opportunity to learn about the great things our city has to offer, but also to see what career opportunities our city has to offer.”
The program can accept up to 1,000 kids, but only 48 businesses have committed to MPLOY.
That means only 500 positions have been set
Less than 5-percent of the 10,000 teens Mayor Wharton expected to sign up will get jobs through the program.
“We don’t have room for them, not because they did something wrong, not because their grades were below par, not because they live in the wrong zip code, but because we simply do not have the resources,” Wharton said.
He asked more businesses to come forward.
Businesses or youth looking to participate can go to http://cityofmemphisyouth.org/index.php/en/mploy-youth to sign up.