ABCD SummerWorks Extended Two Weeks to August 27!

 Inner-city Youths Stay in Jobs, Off Streets, as Summer Heat Continues

John J. Drew, President/CEO of Action for Boston Community Development, announced today that ABCD will keep its summer jobs program running until August 27. It was originally slated to end on August 13.

“This is a very big move – we are excited to keep SummerWorks rolling for an additional two weeks in the hottest summer in a long time,” said ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew. “Thanks to the increased funding from the state, we can keep 3,500 kids in jobs and off the streets for an additional two weeks, almost to the start of school.”

 “We serve young people who may be at risk on the streets, who fear gang violence in their neighborhoods,” he said. “We don’t want them at loose ends. We want to keep them safe and engaged in jobs and career-oriented activities. They deserve a break. We are still bringing kids on board and now they can work right through August.”

 The teenagers and young adults in the ABCD program work in child care programs, health clinics, libraries and other non-profit sites. Along with paid work experience, they receive tutoring, mentoring and career development experience. Many participate in cutting-edge career exploration programs such as “green jobs,” building trades, health careers, financial education and more.

 ABCD SummerWorks is part of Mayor Thomas Menino’s summer jobs initiative for Boston and has provided opportunities for at-risk Boston youth since 1965. Directors at the non-profit agencies where youth work report that the youngsters help keep important services rolling while regular employees are on vacation in the summer months. Many youngsters are the only wage earners in their families and regularly turn their checks over to their parents to pay for food, rent or utilities.

About ABCD:

ABCD serves more than 100,000 low-income Boston-area residents through its central offices and a decentralized network of Neighborhood Service Centers (NSCs), Head Start centers, Family Planning sites and Foster Grandparent sites. Programs and affiliations include Fuel Assistance; Head Start; Child Care Services; Child Care Choices of Boston; Education; Career Development; Housing and Homelessness Services; Health Services; Family Planning; Urban College of Boston; University High – an Alternative High School; Ostiguy High School for high school students in recovery; Weatherization; Foster Grandparents; Elder Services; Intergenerational Programs; Food Pantries in several Boston neighborhoods; management of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employees Charitable Campaign (COBECC) and City of Boston Employees Charitable Campaign (COBECC); advocacy and consumer services.