The Urban Affairs Coalition employs more than 900 youth this summer!

The excitement I felt planning my very first event at the age of 16 is a feeling that’s hard to describe. You’re excited to see all the hard work leading up to this day unfold, but nervous because you want to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. The Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC) annual Summer Youth Employment program was no different! Upon entering the First District Plaza venue, it was hard to believe the massive Grand Ballroom, setup with 800 chairs in neat rows, would soon be filled with students, parents, and UAC stakeholders to commemorate the conclusion of this year’s Summer Youth Employment Program. 

UAC’s Summer Youth Employment Celebration was hosted Friday, August 16 at the First District Plaza, Grand Ballroom. The purpose of this event was to celebrate and uplift more than 900 students and over 200 employers involved in this year’s very successful program. This employment program seeks to match students with employers for a 6-week paid work experience. On the job, students learn business basics, customer service skills and engage in a variety of other developmental activities. This celebration was an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning experiences and commemorate their achievements among family, fellow peers and their UAC mentors. 

This celebratory event kicked off with a Student Project Exposition and a Stakeholder Breakfast. The Student Expo, which upheld the theme of “Rising Above the Influence” showcased the work of over 60 student teams. Projects addressed topics such as healthy coping mechanisms and drug prevention awareness. The room was jam packed with excited students and proud exhibitors, wearing shiny yellow ribbons, ready to present their hard work. As this exhilarating exhibition took place, a room full of UAC Stakeholders gathered for a short program hosted by Sharmaine Matlock Turner, President and CEO of UAC, where she took the opportunity to express the importance of the program and her deepest gratitude for the ongoing support of the program. Stakeholders including Superintended Dr. William Hite, Mayor Jim Kenney, Philadelphia Youth Network President and CEO, Chekemma Townsend and many more then experience first-hand the incredible work students have completed during the summer at the Student Expo.

The entertainment portion of this event, coined Humor & Good Vibes, was a standout experience for this year’s celebration. The crowd of eager students enjoyed a variety of performance including a stroll off performed by members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. These various performances kept the energy of the crowd uplifted as we moved into the Awards Ceremony. The awards ceremony, complete with musical entertainment also featured keynote speaker, Senator Vincent Hughes, who encouraged students to continually rise above the influence and make worthwhile decisions that would positively impact both their personal lives and the lives of the members within their local communities. All and all, this year’s celebration was one for the books!

Throughout the planning process and execution of this event, the idea of equitable partnership was kept in mind. The UAC partners with hundreds of employers to make each year’s employment program a success, and that is no small feat. The Summer Youth Employment program has the opportunity to expose young adults to the possibility of finding a career they love and changing the trajectory of their lives. The work the UAC has committed themselves to is nothing short of incredible. 

To learn more about how you can participate in this program next summer please contact Tiffany Delgado-Bickley at [email protected].