Wilmington urges youth to apply for summer jobs
Young people still have a week to apply.
The city of Wilmington is renewing its efforts to hire youth workers for its summer job program after officials realized fewer people were applying this year.
"While applications have been available for several weeks, younger citizens are not applying in the numbers they have in previous years," the city said in a news release urging people to apply.
Only 250 people had applied as of Tuesday for the 450 available positions, the city said, leaving 200 spots open for applicants ages 14 to 20.
The lack of applications is unusual for the program that typically has so many people interested that applicants win their spots with a lottery system.
Parks and Recreation Director Kevin F. Kelley Sr. believes the gap is because of a change this year: For the first time, applications were available online only.
"We probably overestimated the ability of people to fill out an online application," he said. "I think it's access to computers, ... (and we're) in a world where we have grandmas raising children."
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The department is making paper applications available now. The deadline is April 29.
"I’m confident," Kelley said. "We got a week to go, and like any other thing, people wait until the last minute to apply."
Employment opportunities are offered in two eight-week sessions from June 19 through Aug. 25.
This year, the Department of Parks and Recreation asked only Bank of America for financial assistance, which City Council members criticized at a recent budget hearing.
"We should never just reach out to one bank when we’re a city of banks," Councilman Vash Turner said.
Kelley, who was appointed by Mayor Mike Purzycki in January, said planning the program is a year-round process in which he arrived in the middle.
"Going forward the program will be much different," he said.
In the future, Kelley plans to reach out to more companies, expand the job options available and continue to provide pre-employment training on workplace etiquette and financial literacy.
Councilman Turner said more training is needed.
"There needs to be more attention on that type of stuff so kids know when you get to the real world, this is what you have to do," he said. "We have to do better developing our youth and shaping them into future workers."
Turner added that while Wilmington is a hub for corporations, banks and law firms, the summer jobs program doesn't match youth with those companies.
"We need to tap into that," he said. "But we need to make sure we’re sending them quality people, that know what the business world is, how to dress, how to act. Once we get our developmental part up, we can work with them as well."
Contact Christina Jedra at cjedra@delawareonline.com, (302) 324-2837 or on Twitter @ChristinaJedra.
How to apply
Applications are available online at www.WilmingtonDE.gov/SYEP or can be picked up at the following locations:
- Parks and Recreation Turner Building on Wilmington Avenue
- The Williams “Hicks” Anderson Community Center on Madison Street
- West End Neighborhood House on Lincoln Street
- Kingswood Community Center on Bowers Street
- PAL Center on Market Street
Applications can be delivered:
Monday, 4-7 p.m.
Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Wilmington Municipal Services Complex, 500 Wilmington Ave.
Tuesday, 4-7 p.m.
West End Neighborhood House, 1627 W. Eighth St.
Wednesday, 4-7 p.m.
Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Wilmington Municipal Services Complex, 500 Wilmington Ave.
Thursday, 4-7 p.m.
Kingswood Community Center, 2300 Bowers St.
April 29, 9 a.m. - noon
Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Wilmington Municipal Services Complex, 500 Wilmington Ave.
April 29, 1-4 p.m.
Police Athletic League of Wilmington, 3707 N. Market St.
Photocopies of the following documents are required and must be included with completed and signed applications:
- Youth applicant's photo identification card (photocopy only) – government-issued (not expired) photo ID; or current school-issued photo ID; or United States passport
- Youth applicant's Social Security card (photocopy only)
- Youth applicant's birth certificate (photocopy only)
- Youth applicant's proof of address (photocopy only)
- Lease or official mail from school, federal, state or city agency
- Proof of parental/guardian income (photocopy only) – 2016 W-2; or three most recent pay stubs; or (if applicable) agency letter verifying Social Security, pension/retirement pay, disability, annuities, child support, unemployment, Medicaid, TANF, food benefits, Delaware Healthy Child Program or other sources of income
- Completed and signed Delaware Department of Labor Work Permit (for applicants 17 years or younger)
Drug testing will be administered prior to employment.
Copiers are not available at the registration locations.
For more information about the Summer Youth Employment Program, call the Department of Parks and Recreation at (302) 576-3810.