Summer of Opportunity Program Engages Youth with Employment Opportunities

The City’s 2023 Summer of Opportunity Program (SOOP) kicked off this week, providing youth with employment opportunities and work readiness training over the summer months. 256 youth are participating with job placements across 28 participating organizations.

“Youth development is one of my top priorities and so I am especially proud of the success of our Summer of Opportunity Program,” said Mayor Evans. “I believe that every young person who wants a job should be able to get a job because they help keep kids out of trouble and support their path toward a healthy and prosperous future.”

SOOP includes 6–8 weeks of paid employment for youth ages 14 to 20 who are currently enrolled in middle school, high school, or actively pursuing their high school equivalency diploma. For many, SOOP may be their first work experience.

RochesterWorks! operates the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) in collaboration with SOOP to offer a similar paid employment at work sites across Monroe County.

Participating youth are eligible to receive financial literacy education and guidance and may elect to establish checking and savings accounts for their summer earnings.

A one-time $30 incentive is offered to those who participate in the financial literacy offerings and set up direct deposit with equal contributions to their checking and savings accounts thanks to a collaboration of the Mayor’s Office of Financial Empowerment, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Rochester and ESL Federal Credit Union.

For more information, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/soop.