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Worcester Leaders Call for Expanded Support for Youth Summer Jobs: #YES4Worcester Campaign Seeks to Engage Regional Businesses

CommunityEconomicChamberPress Release

A coalition of local organizations and civic leaders is calling for increased investment in youth summer employment opportunities, emphasizing the critical role these programs play in workforce development, community safety, and long-term economic mobility.

The #YES4Worcester (Youth Employment Support for Worcester) initiative brings together key partners including the City of Worcester Division of Youth Opportunities, Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC), Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Central Massachusetts, and the MassHire Central Region Workforce Board and its affiliated Career Centers in Worcester and Southbridge. Together, they are working to expand access to meaningful summer job placements for Worcester youth through the YouthWorks program.

Each summer, more than 50 nonprofit and municipal sites host YouthWorks participants, providing hands-on work experience and mentorship. These sites include the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, YMCA, Friendly House, Crompton Collective, the City of Worcester, and many others that serve as critical community anchors.

Despite strong demand, current funding supports a fraction of the need. The state has funded 143 YouthWorks positions in Worcester this year. In response, the City Manager committed an additional $250,000 to create 71 more placements—an important step, but still not enough to meet the demand among local youth seeking employment.

The cost to support each YouthWorks participant is approximately $3,200. Of that, roughly $2,500 covers wages and fringe costs for a typical six-week placement at 22 hours per week. The remaining funds support essential wraparound services, including case management, payroll administration, and job readiness training—components that ensure participants succeed both on and off the job.

YouthWorks programs have a proven track record of impact, with alumni going on to successful careers across sectors. Notably, Eric Batista, now serving as Worcester’s City Manager, is a former YouthWorks participant—demonstrating the long-term potential of early workforce investment.

“As a YouthWorks alum, I know firsthand just how important early work experience through summer jobs is,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “You can gain a sense of responsibility, independence, and build your work ethic. You also reap the rewards of contributing to your community and seeing how your work uplifts others. Thank you to our community partners for investing in youth employment opportunities.”

Local businesses can participate in two ways:

  1. Hiring an eligible YouthWorks participant directly to work at their company, or
  2. Sponsoring a youth to work at a nonprofit organization.

Both options provide meaningful engagement while strengthening the local workforce pipeline.

Expanding access to youth employment is not just a workforce issue, it’s also a community priority, stress #YES4Worcester leaders: Research consistently shows youth employment programs reduce summer violence, improve academic outcomes, and increase long-term earnings potential.

For more information about how to get involved in YouthWorks or to join the #YES4Worcester campaign, visit https://masshirecentral.com/yes or contact Marybeth Campbell at 508-762-9820 or mcampbell@wcac.net.

Worcester Leaders Call for Expanded Support for Youth Summer Jobs: #YES4Worcester Campaign Seeks to Engage Regional Businesses