The City will provide ample opportunities for teens to stay busy and active this summer.
More than 240 youth will be working for the City in a variety of capacities in July and August, including about 130 for the Department of Community Development. Those workers will be keeping parks and playgrounds clean and performing other tasks, according to Rich Avery, who coordinates the program along with Allison Perry. One will work in the mayor’s office.
Some of the CD workers will be employed under a program in which the City shares the cost of their salary with local businesses and nonprofits. For those who work at businesses, the City and the company each pay half the salary. With nonprofits, the City pays 80 percent.
The youth workers start July 5 and work 25 hours a week for six weeks.
The Department of Parks and Recreation is another major employer, with about 70 youth set to work from July 5 to Aug. 5, according to DPW associate commissioner Lisa Nerich. There will be 25 working as playground instructors, a dozen at the Learn to Swim program at Lynn Tech, and others at the Skills and Drills basketball camp, summer evening basketball league, Lynn Special Needs Camp, a tennis program at Breed Middle School and a Pickleball program at the Clark Street Playground.
In addition to providing employment, the Parks and Rec department will again host the Friday night teen drop-in center at Lynn Tech, starting July 8. The program runs from 6-9 p.m.
The Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development will employ about three dozen youth workers this summer. According to Kiara Palomares of LHAND, who is coordinating the program, the majority are residents of LHAND housing developments. They will do gardening, landscaping and some clerical work.
“We are committed to providing as many opportunities as we can for our younger residents,” said Mayor Jared C. Nicholson. “Not only does it give them an opportunity to earn money, it also keeps them busy at a time when there may be less structure in their lives due to school not being in session.”
