The 2008 Summer Youth Program (SYP) officially began today with more than 18,000 registrants – the largest number registered since the 1980s.  The first day will start with orientation for 3,000 youth, ages 14 and 15 years of age, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, located at 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Hall C.

Orientation workshops, one of the many enhancements to this year’s program, features morning and afternoon sessions and focuse on helping youth workers successfully transition into their summer work experience.  Workshops dealing with relevant work issues such as work readiness skills, time and financial management, and proper usage of debit cards were offered to the attendees in both sessions.

Other enhancements to the 2008 Summer Youth Program include a partnership with the D.C. Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) to expand the usage of the DC One Card to the 2008 summer youth workers.  The DC One Card will provide youth workers with SmarTrip functionality without the standard $5 fee and allowing them to travel to work. The card will also allow them to borrow books from the library and access many of the DC government facilities and programs. 

“We recognize how important it was to help our youth better prepare themselves for this important experience,” said Summer Spencer, director of the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES).  This year we forged partnerships with various private companies to afford our youth exposure to diverse industries and we revamped the program to include a week-long orientation process filled with workshops to help them take full advantage of this exciting experience.”

For more information on the Summer Youth Program, contact the DOES’ Office of Youth Programs at 202.698.3991.