Over 1,200 Young People to Gain Job Experience Through 2025 Summer Youth Employment and Education Program

Hartford, CT (July 1, 2025) — Leaders from the City of Hartford announced today that this summer, over 800 young people in Hartford, part of 1,200 youths throughout the N. Central Region, will take an important step toward their future careers thanks to the 2025 Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program (SYELP), a transformative initiative led by Capital Workforce Partners CWP) in collaboration with the State of Connecticut, the City of Hartford, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and a coalition of public and private sector partners. With over $4.4 million in combined investments to the N. Central CT Region, $2.9 million will target a Hartford SYELP that provides paid job experiences, career readiness training, and support services to youth ages 14–24 across Hartford and North Central Connecticut.

“Summer Youth Employment and Learning Programs are one of the most important investments we make in our future,” said Alex Johnson, President and CEO of Capital Workforce Partners. “Every summer, we see young people discover their potential, gain confidence, and explore the professional world. This program gives them the tools to succeed and strengthens our region’s long-term talent pipeline.”

Building Career Pathways for Hartford Youth

Running from July 2 through August 31, SYELP places young people in career-exploration opportunities across fields like retail, education, and healthcare. Participants benefit from real-world work experience, resume building, professional development, and in many cases, their first paid job. The program helps bridge the gap between school and the workforce, especially for young people from low-income and diverse communities.

This year, in Hartford, a targeted focus has been placed on reconnecting high-risk and academically disconnected students. In partnership with Hartford Public Schools, CWP has coordinated SYELP activities with credit recovery programming to support students who are repeating 9th grade or are in their final year and lacking sufficient credits to graduate. A group of students will be co-enrolled in SYELP and credit recovery initiatives ensuring academic and career readiness go hand in hand.

Wraparound Support, and Equity-Driven Design

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving awarded a $400,000 grant to expand the Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program (SYELP) in Hartford, creating meaningful, paid internship opportunities that also connect Hartford youth with supportive mental health resources.

“The Hartford Foundation is proud to continue its long-time support for the Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program efforts which create real-world opportunities to prepare them for the future,” said Hartford Foundation President and CEO Jay Williams. “This investment builds on the strengths and potential of young people, especially those in Hartford Public Schools’ credit recovery programs by offering hybrid work experiences, skill-building, and pathways to success.”

CWP is also supporting program providers with additional training and mental health resources, including referral systems for behavioral health care, self-care skill-building workshops, and stigma-reduction campaigns. Mental health information will also be available through the CWP website.

A Collective Investment in Hartford’s Future

SYELP is made possible by the collective investment of government agencies, nonprofits, and civic-minded organizations, including:

Hartford SYELP:

  • City of Hartford - $1.0 million
  • Hartford Foundation for Public Giving -$400,000
  • State of Connecticut the CT Youth Employment Program (CYEP) through the CT Department of Labor - $1.1 million to Hartford.

Hartford & N. Central CT Regional Municipalities

  • An additional $1.7 million from the State of Connecticut will supplement funding to Hartford and support youths throughout the North Central CT Region Municipalities: CYEP, Departments of Aging and Disabilities, Children and Families, and Court Support Services.

The SYELP Employment Providers in Hartford include:

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Hartford Center for Latino Progress, Community Renewal Team, ReadyCT, Our Piece of the Pie, YWCA of Hartford

“Investing in young people is vital to developing the next generation workforce. Youth employment is a way to get young workers into their communities, meeting new people, getting new perspective, and learning the responsibility and benefits that come with leadership,” remarked Eddie Cajigas, Manager of Community Advocacy at the WIOA Administration Unit, Connecticut Department of Labor.

“The Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program is more than just a way to keep youth busy during the summer; it's an investment in the future of Hartford," said Mayor Arunan Arulampalam. "By providing our young people with hands-on experience and critical career readiness skills, we are building a talent pipeline right here in our city. This collaboration with the state, Capital Workforce Partners, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and other community leaders ensures that the next generation of our workforce has the opportunity to thrive in our city and beyond."

SYELP continues to expand its private-sector partnerships, enhance career exposure, and work closely with guidance counselors and career specialists to recruit youth for placements designed to meet individual goals.

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To learn more about the Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program and how to get involved, visit: https://capitalworkforce.org/syelp/

Additional remarks by featured speakers and guests at the Press Conference hosted by Our Piece of the Pie, this morning, at 11:00am may be found at https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19kzq9EF52/