Summer18 is a 10-week employment and mentorship program that pairs local businesses with Washtenaw County youth (ages 16-24) to provide on-the-job training that sets the stage for life-long careers, opens doors to new industries, and provides mentorship critical to building professional networks.
Summer18 is a partnership between The University of Michigan, Michigan Works! Southeast and Washtenaw County. The University of Michigan joined the partnership in 2017.
Summer18 serves as the critical “stepping stone” youth need to increase their marketability in today’s competitive job market. As part of Summer18, youth complete a “Soft Skills Academy” which includes training in communication, conflict resolution, professionalism, and networking—all which prepare Summer18 youth employees to make positive contributions to businesses.
Businesses commit to ongoing mentoring of youth employees during the employment period and an hourly wage of $10 or $12 per hour. Youth participants commit to a multi-session “Soft Skills Academy” prior to employment.
Last year (Summer 2017), the number of jobs available to youth doubled, with 80 businesses employing and mentoring youth who gained meaningful work experience and income. This increase in jobs equated to 12,780+ work experience hours and $124,960+ invested in our youths’ future success.
Source: DoMoreSummer18
More information:
Shamar Herron
Michigan Works! Southeast
(734) 369-1707 Sherron@mwse.org
Julia Weinert
Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan
(734) 615-5353 weinertj@umich.edu
Andrea Plevek
Washtenaw County Office of Community & Economic Development (OCED)
(734) 544-3039 pleveka@ewashtenaw.org
