Sherrill Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Job Opportunities for New Jersey’s Young Adults
WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) reintroduced the bipartisan Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act. This legislation will drive federal funding into New Jersey to help support summer employment programs for teenagers and young adults, which will set them up for future careers, help them gain important workforce skills, and improve public safety in our communities. The legislation is co-sponsored by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).
The Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act is the next pillar in Rep. Sherrill’s Expanding Economic Opportunities in New Jersey Agenda, a legislative package she is introducing to improve access to good-paying jobs in the Garden State, support businesses and the workforce, and make New Jersey a global hub of cutting-edge research and innovation.
“I’m proud to reintroduce my legislation that will bring federal tax dollars back to New Jersey and expand summer job opportunities that help teenagers and young adults get ahead. We know that good-paying jobs for young people can help set New Jerseyans up for success, power our state’s workforce for years to come, and help to reduce crime. I worked with mayors, law enforcement, and community advocates to develop this legislation that will drive federal money into our state to increase access to community-based employment programs,” said Rep. Sherrill.
The Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act has been endorsed by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Business and Industry Association, National Troopers Coalition, International Union of Police Associations, New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, and NewBridge Services.
“Preparing our youth for the workforce is a top priority for the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce – and our Foundation – and it is never too early to begin that critical work. By providing summer employment opportunities in communities where they are not always available, we are helping students to build the necessary skills to enable them to succeed long-term in college or at future jobs. We applaud Rep. Mikie Sherrill for recognizing the importance of this issue by reintroducing the Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act, which aims to benefit young people from challenging and often disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Thomas Bracken, President & CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.
“NJBIA is proud to again support the Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act. We know the challenges faced by our NJ employers in finding youth workers, affording those workers opportunities for more hours and pay, which in turn helps NJ's downtowns, shore resorts, retailers and hospitality industry to meet the increased service demands during the summer,” said Michele Siekerka, President and CEO of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association. “Improving criminal justice outcomes through enhancement of existing employment programs, or the creation of new ones where needed, makes this bill a win-win-win for employers, employees, and the public.”
“The National Troopers Coalition applauds Rep. Mikie Sherrill for reintroducing the Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act. The NTC leadership and its 47,000 members across 43 states praised the positive impact of Rep. Sherrill’s bill, which focuses on addressing systemic youth unemployment,” said Nathan S. Johnson, Chairman of the National Troopers Coalition. “This bill makes important investments in communities by offering young people skill-building experiences that can enhance their economic opportunities, ultimately strengthening the communities they live in.”
“Law enforcement knows that New Jersey has safer communities when young people are actively involved in productive activities, especially during the summer days when school is not in session," said John Russo, President of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. "The NJSACOP has been a vocal supporter of this legislation since its inception. Providing teens with summer jobs, and the feeling of achievement by earning their own money, increases their skills, inspires them to do more and, consequently, deters petty criminal activity.”
“The Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris is delighted to support Congresswomen Sherrill’s bill. I have been in social services for over 40 years and the one thing I have learned is that the best social services program for most youth is a job. It keeps them engaged, healthy, productive and off the streets. A job teaches our young people discipline, sacrifice, team work and it puts little money in their pocket. Work can contribute to mental health and a real sense of well-being. A job is the perfect vehicle to accompany the majority of our youth through the storms of adolescence, and ensure they remain healthy. I still remember my first summer job. It changed my life, for the better,” said Bob Davison, CEO of the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, Inc.
“NewBridge Services, a provider of similar youth career building services, can’t emphasize enough how life-changing and life-saving these opportunities are for our youth, giving them the chance to build a path to their dreams, avoid criminal activities, learn new skills and gain self confidence. These gains strengthen NJ communities and their futures,” said Michelle Borden, CEO of NewBridge Services.
The Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act will create a new competitive grant program within the Department of Labor to fund Summer Youth Employment Program operators. Funded programs will match participating young people with employers and partially subsidize their summer jobs, as well as provide mentoring and career counselling to participants.
This legislation will also provide competitive grants to Summer Youth Employment Program operators to develop and implement innovative approaches to subsidized summer employment that are not already used by existing programs but show promise in improving economic and criminal justice outcomes for youths, such as digital literacy training, resume development workshops, and personal finance classes.
Summer Youth Employment Programs have been successfully implemented in a number of cities and towns across New Jersey. Essex County and Morris County both operate youth employment programs to help young people gain workforce skills, while Newark’s program has been significantly scaled up in recent years to serve over 3,000 young people annually.
Nationwide, Summer Youth Employment Programs have demonstrated significant promise in reducing violent crimes across several rigorous evaluations:
- Chicago’s youth summer jobs program reduced violent crime arrests among participants by 45%, leading to a benefit-cost ratio of as much as 11 to 1;
- Boston’s youth summer jobs program reduced violent crime arrests among participants by 35% and property crime arrests by 57%; and
- New York City’s youth summer jobs program reduced felony arrests among participants by 23% and felony convictions by 38%.
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