MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release

August 9, 2000

WHO:

The Baltimore City Youth Opportunity Movement (YO!) is actively seeking 60 staff members who want to be part of youth development history in the United States. Candidates will be responsible for helping thousands of out-of-school and at-risk young people (ages 16-21) complete their education and pursue employment in high growth areas of the economy.

Individuals hired for these YO! positions will be the first youth workers in the United States to obtain certification as "youth practitioners". The new Youth Practitioners Institute is a collaborative effort among the Baltimore Office of Employment Development, the Sar Levitan Center at Johns Hopkins and the Baltimore City Community College. The Institute will prepare YO! employees for the rigors of youth development work during a comprehensive six-week training course, and then serve as the employer of record for all employees hired by the Youth Opportunity System.

WHEN:

Friday, August 11, 2000 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

WHAT:

Youth Opportunity Job Fair
Positions include youth recruiters, job coaches, employment advocates, senior employment advocates, account executive/job developers, literacy instructors and receptionists. For more info, visit www.oedworks.com or call 410-396-1790.

WHERE:

Baltimore City Community College
Harbor Campus – Bard Building (600 E. Lombard Street)

WHY:

Unemployment figures for young people living in Baltimore’s Empowerment Zone (EZ) are between 35% and 40%, and the current fabric of support for them is fragmented. Nationwide, almost 11 million young people between the ages of 16 and 24 are high school dropouts or graduates who are not getting further education. And it’s clear that high unemployment in poor neighborhoods leads to crime, drug problems and gang activity. To attack unemployment among out-of-school youth in Baltimore, the Youth Opportunity System has been awarded a $44 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide career planning, academic support, and job training services to EZ youth. Services such as tutoring, computer training, counseling, employment readiness, occupational skills training, and leadership development are now available for young people in need. Call 410-545-6950 for details.

CONTACT:

Gail Woods Waller (410) 396-9928 or gwoods@oedworks.com