On Aug. 5, nearly 200 Genesee County teens and young adults will take a break from their summer jobs for the Summer Youth Initiative (SYI) Wrap-Up Party. During the event, which will be held at Brush Park in downtown Flint, the SYI workers will celebrate a successful summer of work and building their professional networks. They will also have the opportunity to share what they did or plan to do as part of the program’s volunteer component.
In the past, SYI workers have come together to perform one large project during the summer. Due to COVID safety precautions, this year, each SYI employer coordinated its own volunteer project for their workers to complete. For example, teens working at the North End Soup Kitchen (NESK) will work to beautify the non-profit’s building by planting flowers and landscaping. This is in addition to assembling 1,000 school bags for local teachers to deliver to at-risk students.
Participating SYI employers include Asbury Community Development, Beecher Community School District, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flint and Genesee County, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint, Chosen Few Arts Council, Clio Area Schools, The Disability Network, Flint Children’s Museum, Flint Freedom Schools Collaborative, Flint Housing Commission, Flint Public Library, Flint River Watershed, Foodbank of Eastern Michigan, GCCARD, Genesee County Parks, Goodwill Industries, Grand Blanc Parks, International Academy of Flint, Michigan Community Services Inc., Motherly Intercession, Mott Community College, Neighborhood Engagement Hub, NESK Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties and Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village.
Summer Youth Initiative (SYI) helps coordinate the summer employment of Genesee County teens and young adults who have completed TeenQuest, a pre-employment and leadership training program from Flint & Genesee Education & Talent. Both TeenQuest and SYI are made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and other supportive funders. For more information, click here.
WHO/WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021 – Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Schedule highlights include:
- 12:15-1 p.m.
- James Avery, program director of Education & Talent at Flint & Genesee Education & Talent, will provide remarks
- SYI workers and employers will share their volunteer projects and experiences
WHERE: Brush Park, 120 E. 1st St., Flint, MI 48502
