Two young adult interns are getting a leg up on the job market from the Downtown BID as part of a cooperative arrangement with the DC Department of Employment Services’ (DOES) new Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP).
The new initiative targets youth who are 18 to 24 years of age and gives them an opportunity to work and learn invaluable skills, work habits and attitudes necessary to succeed in today’s workplace. The program, funded by the federal stimulus Act, will allow 500 underserved DC residents to gain practical work experience through the program.
“Over the years, the BID has been very involved in the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program,” said Richard Bradley, executive director of the Downtown BID. “This new program is a wonderful way to introduce young adults to critical real-world skills and proper work ethics through meaningful professional experiences at a time when the local unemployment rate has jumped to 11.9%.”
Two adult interns, Paris Nicholson and Burchelle Hewlett, are providing office assistance in the BID’s Marketing and Special Events Departments, respectively. The DC government pays the interns minimum wage, $8.25 per hour, for up to 24 hours of work per week. In addition to on-the-job experience, they also attend DOES’ Office of Youth Programs weekly work readiness workshop. The classes promote life-skill development, work readiness skills, financial literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. All program participants are assigned a case manager who assists, monitors, evaluates and empowers the interns.
For more information about YAIP, visit www.youthjobs.dc.gov.
