(Washington, DC) - Tomorrow, 18,350 participants in Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's 2009 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) who are working for more than 400 employers at 1,100 worksites throughout the District will receive their paycheck for the second pay period.

District youth have been working in jobs in the private sector – including major industries like banking, hospitality and construction – as well as for community based groups, local and federal government agencies, and at dozens of “Green Jobs” work sites.

“Our goal with SYEP is to give District youth a meaningful, summer work experience,” said Mayor Fenty. “For many, this will be their first real pay check and they should take pride in the fact that this is money they have worked hard to earn.”

Salaries, which are paid to youth through a new Visa TotalPay Card, will be directly deposited in the youth worker’s account by 7 am Wednesday. Youth workers are being paid the federal minimum wage of $6.55 an hour, and their checks will have standard deductions such as Social Security (or F.I.C.A.).

“More than 18,000 youth have been taking part in a variety of work experiences – everything from office work to helping younger kids at the Parks and Rec sites to community clean up efforts to the White House,” said Joseph Walsh, Department of Employment Services (DOES) Director.  Walsh noted that the SYEP staff continues to work diligently to ensure that tomorrow’s first full pay day will be successful, and to help resolve any issues that arise.
Youth with any pay questions are encouraged to contact their work supervisors or to call SYEP by calling 311.  

 Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) is administering the 2009 SYEP payment activities using an electronic payroll system. DOES provided workshops and online tutorials to both youth workers and supervisors to ensure a smooth transition from paper timesheets to the new online system. Youth participants and their individual work sites will continue throughout the summer to utilize the electronic payroll system to ensure that time and attendance are correctly entered and can be verified daily.

Anyone with questions about the Summer Youth Employment Program should call 311 or visit summerjobs.dc.gov for assistance.