May 9, 2009

Congressman Gregory Meeks Joins Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Patterson, Federal, State and City Legislators at Press Conference at CVS in Downtown Manhattan

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Today, Congressman Gregory Meeks joined Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Paterson, Federal, State and City Legislators of New York to announce $29 million in federal stimulus funding for the New York Youth Student Employment Program. This funding will provide more than 17,378 summer jobs and internships over the course of next year.

This $29.02 million is funding directly from the American Recovery and Reinvestment act that will go towards the seven week job program for New York City youth between the ages of 14 and 24. This will provide jobs for more than 51,000 youth. CVS Pharmacy has agreed to hire youth from the program for almost all of their New York City locations.

 “I am greatly pleased with the $29 million in federal funding for the New York Youth Student Program.  The 51,000 jobs we expect will be created for disadvantaged youth across the state of New York will go a long way toward securing the future of our greatest asset, our young people.  I believe that this program is a tremendous outreach initiative for at-risk youth who will have the opportunity to obtain paid summer employment that will teach them the necessary job and life skills to excel in future employment.  This program is essential with the rate of unemployment and crime amongst youth in New York continuously increasing.  I am confident that with this newly added funding the Youth Student Employment program will reach new heights and provide our youth with a life changing experience,” said Congressman Gregory Meeks. 

Last year the New York City Summer Youth Employment Program enrolled more than 43,000 youth across 6,550 worksites that were developed by 56 community-based providers throughout the five boroughs. Youth that are enrolled in the program earn minimum wage, work in local small businesses, cultural institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, schools, child care facilities, libraries and hospitals. In addition to working, they receive education and training on topics that include work-readiness, post-secondary education, career exploration, financial literacy and health awareness.

Now serving in his sixth full-term, Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, 1998. Representing New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, Meeks' district covers all parts of Southeast Queens, Far Rockaway and Howard Beach. He is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.  Meeks became Chairman of the International Monetary Policy Subcommittee in 2009 under the House Financial Services Committee. Meeks is a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), New Democrats Caucus and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC).  He serves as the Co-chair of the Malaysia Caucus, Services Caucus, Dialogue Caucus and the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus.

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