Summer Youth Employment Program is a Win-Win

October 2009   If you want to know howExposing youth to environmental issues, plus
intractable the unemployment problem is ingiving them chance to learn the value of hard
Detroit, talk to any group of 18 - 24-year-oldswork is exactly why Johnson Controls, a member
and you'll be amazed at how few have ever hadof the Detroit Youth Employment
a summer job.Consortium, got involved with SYEP.
That's why McDonald's owner and operator, 
Jamar Thrower, decided that the Summer YouthIn 2006, the Milwaukee-based company began its
Employment Program (SYEP) was an opportunityConservation Leadership Corps (CLC) to teach
he couldn't refuse. urban youth environmental stewardship and
"We are always open to getting involved inleadership. The program has since expanded to
anything positive to help the community," said thetwo other cities where the company has
owner of Jamjomar, Inc. "This was anoperations: Baltimore and Detroit.
unbelievable chance for us to train young people"We had 2,200 applicants for 110 positions in
at no cost to us, then have them ready to hireDetroit this summer," said Jennifer Mattes,
when the summer was over." director of global public affairs. "We continue to
Thrower is one of dozens of for-profit employerssearch for additional funding sources in all three
who participated in SYEP this summer. Thecities - the need is so great."
Detroit program, which serves an average ofIn partnership with the national Student
2,500 youth each year, received an injection ofConservation Association and the Greening of
$11.2 million from the American Recovery andDetroit, the CLC was able to give Detroit youth a
Reinvestment Act this summer. The federaltaste of the green job industry, including educating
money helped increase the scope of the programcity residents about energy efficiency;
to serve about 7,000 youth ages 14 - 24. weatherizing and energy auditing 75 homes in
 Detroit; designing and building an outdoor
SYEP Participation is Good for Businessclassroom and indoor environmental lab at Barbara
With the drastic increase in the number of youthJordan Elementary School; conducting an
served, City Connect Detroit, acting on behalf ofextensive tree inventory; and reclaiming two
the Detroit Youth Employment Consortium,green picnic shelters on Belle Isle using alternative
decided to enlist the help of the businessbuilding materials and practices.
community in addition to the traditional non-profit 
supporters of the summer program. It was notWhy did Johnson Controls get involved with
an easy sell. summer youth programs?
  
"In a troubled economic climate, many businesses"We wanted to invest in the communities where
were focused on downsizing, not making roomwe do business," said Mattes. "It's about
for new employees," said City Connect Detroitchallenging the next generation to be
CEO Geneva J. Williams. "But when we made itenvironmental stewards and providing them the
clear that we were providing the youth andopportunity to gain leadership skills. Some of them
paying their salaries, many businesses jumped atmay even become our employees. Plus, we hope
the chance to give young people a taste of thethey will stay in Detroit because they see a
real work environment."future there." (For a list of other funders of the
Thrower employed 13 youth in his two DetroitDetroit Conservation Leadership Corps, see
stores. "In such a depressed time, it's importantbelow.*)
to expose kids to earning a paycheck and toThe program also helped Johnson Controls
teach them accountability," said Thrower, whodevelop a relationship with state and local leaders.
trained his SYEP youth in all aspects of running his"The mayor and the governor are supportive of
business. "It was such a good experience for methese summer programs as well," said Mattes.
as the employer, I would have no trouble"We've earned recognition as a company that's
recommending that other stores in ourengaging youth in a unique and meaningful
consortium participate next year."employment experience that also provides a
Cultivating Future Employeesvaluable community service."  
C. has a bad temper-one that landed her in frontMattes said that SYEP is a win-win for the
of a judge earlier this year after the 20-year-oldbusiness community. "Through the program, we
stabbed someone in a fight. The judge gave thecan give youth a perspective of what kinds of
first-time offender a choice: Go on probation andskills and education they will need to be ready for
get a job, or go to jail.the green jobs of the future," she said. "At same
 time, they're doing something to beautify their
"I picked probation," she said. "I'm so glad I wascity. We want to make it a better place for
given a chance." everyone."  
C. ended up in SYEP doing conservation work with* Johnson Controls is the founding sponsor of the
the Greening of Detroit.  "This is my first timeConservation Leadership Corps. Additional support
having a job," she said while composting atwas provided by: Chase; the City of Detroit
Elizabeth Gordon Sachs Park near downtownCommunity Development Block Grant and
Detroit. "It feels good to have a paycheck."  Neighborhood Opportunity Fund; The City of
The biggest lesson she's learned is how to stay toDetroit Workforce Development Department;
herself. "You get quiet when you do workCity Connect Detroit; the Michigan Department of
outside," she said. "At first it was uncomfortableEnergy, Labor and Economic Growth; Michigan
being quiet and thinking. But it helps me stay outWorks! Association; Masco Corporation Foundation;
of trouble." SAP Americas; and the Walmart Foundation.
It's a Question of Values