Supervisors, parents and youth alike shared their positive experiences from participating in the program.

One youth stated that the Mayor Summer Job's Program "gives young adults a chance to get a job and if it's not their first job, it's an experience that could go towards their resume."

A Supervisor from the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project was encouraging of the community partnership; "Documenting the illegal dumping in the neighborhood, that's something that needs to be done frequently, so it would be good to have the youth doing that throughout the summer or the whole year." Likewise, a youth reflected on the importance of knowing about the health of his neighborhood and what preventative approaches exist to keep Oakland safe; "I learned how dangerous the air can be-like certain spots in the area with all the pollution. I also learned how to report trash and plants, over grown, so that we can stop possible fires."

The youth learned how to successfully communicate with their peers and supervisors. One youth emphasized how critical it is for young people like himself to know about the job opportunities in his own neighborhood. He explained that he "helped paved the way for others in the community to be able to feel like they can take jobs and help out their environment too".

A parent expressed huge appreciation for opportunities such as these for his sons. He spoke about the need in the community to invest in youth by employing them at local businesses. He stressed how positive the program is for kids and that "more should be offered, to give all the kids a chance to work and learn". Having grown up working, he reflected on how crucial it was to his own development and safety; "I wasn't in a street gang, but I worked and it taught me something and that's what this is doing for the kids, it's helping them as well." He continued by talking about the accountability that the community and businesses have to young people in order to change Oakland in positive ways. He urged that "we need to get more kids involved and get them off the street and teach them, now, rather than later on". 

AHC was able to place 14 youths at jobs this summer and plans on training and linking countless more in the future through the Mayor Summer Jobs Program. Stay tuned and contact us if your business would like to partner with us and have an Oakland youth learn about and contribute to your work in the community!