Washington, DC

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Bowser awarded scholarships of $2,000 or more to over 70 participants from the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) and the Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute (MBYLI). All awardees are incoming or current college and trade school students or military enlistees. The Mayor was joined at the event by Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity Courtney Snowden, Deputy Mayor for Education Jennifer Niles, and Director of the Department of Employment Services Odie Donald II.

“We know that in order to spread prosperity throughout the District, we must give more young Washingtonians access to the educational and economic opportunities that will put them on pathways to the middle class,” said Mayor Bowser. “These scholarships are one new way we are supporting our young people as they seek out new opportunities.”

Mayor Bowser announced the new scholarship at the kickoff of MBSYEP earlier this summer, and over 200 MBSYEP and MBYLI participants applied for the scholarship.

“MBSYEP is the first step into the world of work for many District youth, and we are excited to provide financial assistance to defray some costs on their pathway to the middle class,” said DOES Director Donald.

MBSYEP is in its 38th year, and today, nearly 13,000 participants ages 14 to 24 are currently participating in the program at more than 800 private sector and government worksites across Washington, DC. Over 50 percent of participants reside in Wards 7 and 8 and host employers include area universities and schools, federal and local government agencies, major corporations, local businesses, hospitals, urban farms, and other community groups. In 2015, Mayor Bowser introduced legislation to expand MBSYEP to include young Washingtonians between the ages of 22 and 24, and this year, the expansion became permanent.

MBSYEP participants receive transportation assistance to get to their worksites, financial literacy lessons, and have access to success coaches and mentors who support them throughout the program. Additionally, MBSYEP offers professional development for young adults, Fire and EMS pre-cadet training, and the MBYLI summer leadership program.

Established in 1979 by Mayor Marion Barry, today MBSYEP is one of the largest summer jobs programs in the country and stands as a national model. Recently, Washington, DC has been recognized as one of the top cities for summer jobs by Forbes.com and WalletHub.com. The Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute was also founded in 1979 as a year-round program to train District youth in the concepts of leadership and self-development. The MBYLI training model emphasizes practical, hands-on experience and a holistic approach to developing leaders for the 21st century.

MBSYEP runs through August 4. For more information about the program, contact [email protected].