Federal cuts mean fewer summer jobs for Philly kids

Federal cuts have resulted in fewer summer jobs for teens in Philadelphia.

A year ago, 36,000 Philadelphia teens applied for summer jobs and about a third of them were given work for the summer. This year, the city only has about 5,500 jobs available—and there are twice as many applicants.

Mayor Michael Nutter says that equation is not good.

“It will have an impact on the justice system, our Philadelphia Police Department and departments all over the United States of America will end up picking up the collateral damage as a result of acts of Congress to cut the summer jobs program,” said Nutter, adding it will be “a disaster all across the United States of America.”

Demetrius Lacey, one teen who did not get a summer job, said he’s upset at a missed opportunity.

“As a student preparing to begin my college career, it’s important to understand the professional world,” he said. “The Workready program would not just teach me technical skills, but soft skills such as proper professional dress, resume writing, networking, interviewing skills.”

The Urban Affairs Coalition is collecting donations to hire more teens for the summer.