As summer vacation begins some youth are left with long days and nothing to occupy them while others search for jobs or volunteer positions. City programs such as the Mayor’s Summer Job Program and Teen Empowerment help students make money and learn about the work world.
Somerville Director of Human Services Nancy Bacci, has helped place thousands of teenagers in both city and private jobs since the creation of the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program in 2007.
Bacci told SNN, “I think the mayor recognizes the value of starting our young people off on a very strong path, so they attend an orientation with us where we talk about customer service skills, the importance of your first impression, etc. It really is about them understanding that this is a great opportunity that you’re having, if you’re placed within a city department, it’s a great opportunity to connect with all of these people, and kind of get a behind the scenes look at how city government operates.” Teens are also placed in private businesses. Tom Connery of the Apex Business Park participates in the program. Young people working at Apex can learn about building management, HVAC systems and plumbing, maybe sparking a career interest.
The Center for Teen Empowerment hires young people and offers them the opportunity to make their voices heard in the community through events, demonstrations, and other organized settings.
The Center for Teen Empowerment was founded in Boston in 2003. The group was invited to expand to Somerville about twelve years ago when drug overdoses and homicides were shaking the city.
McLaughlin tells SNN that the young people are hired to be agents of social change in the community. They work to organize events around community issues. Although the issues may change over the years, they never go away. McLaughlin says, “Where ten years ago we talked a lot about drug overdoses, violence, and gang violence, today we’re dealing a lot with bullying, depression, self-esteem, more internal issues.”
Both the Mayor’s Job Program and Teen Empowerment are funded through the Somerville City Budget.
For youth who would like to make their voices heard through the arts, Somerville offers Project STAR and the Sunsetters. Sponsored by the Mayor’s office and the recreation department, both programs are centered around youth performance and theater.
Project STAR is a six-week program for youth in grades 6-12. Participants write an original script, rehearse it, and have the chance to perform for the city.
The Sunsetters program began almost 40 years ago. It’s an opportunity for young people to develop their performance skills and for neighbors to spend a summer evening together.
Somerville Youth Arts Coordinator Jimmy DelPonte directs the program. DelPonte told SNN, “Kids sing out on the streets, and go to the parks, block off the street, have a little block party during the weeknights, and we go to the senior centers occasionally.”
Michael Buckley joined Sunsetters nine years ago. He’s now an Assistant Director working with the cast. Buckley told SNN, “I think it’s really important for the kids of the community to see what we’re doing and also the adults and the elderly to see how the arts are helping kids and getting them in an organized group to work on teamwork and stuff like that.”
To sign up for summer programs in the city of Somerville, you can visit somervillema.gov, somervillerec.com, or call the city at 617-625-6600.
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