Elesha Dye, a Raleigh resident and healthcare worker, has shared her positive experience with the Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program, which she participated in more than 25 years ago. Believing in its benefits for teenagers entering the workforce, Dye encouraged her 15-year-old daughter, Tiffany, to join the program this summer.
Tiffany recently completed the program’s eight-week session. “It shaped me in a lot of ways. I got to do stuff I’d never done before. I met professionals who give advice which was helpful,” Tiffany said. “I really enjoyed it.”
Program Manager Rebekah Dixon highlighted that participants receive more than just work experience. They also attend financial education and mental health seminars and take part in Professional Development Day activities, including receiving headshots and resume assistance.
“This is more than just a summer job,” Dixon said. “We are creating opportunities for these teenagers and helping to build a strong foundation for them so they can succeed in the future.”
The Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program began in 1983 and has expanded over time. This year, 175 teenagers took part in the program.
