University City District Creates 11 New Jobs with Summer Youth Program

Philadelphia, PA - University City District (UCD) is proud to announce its summer jobs program for 2006. In partnership with the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition’s Workready Philadelphia program, UCD has created 11 new jobs for incoming high school Juniors and Seniors who reside in University City and West Philadelphia. UCD will provide these new employment opportunities with assistance from One Source (UCD’s public space maintenance contractor) and Service Works (a certified minority owned firm in West Philadelphia), who will assist UCD’s ongoing revitalization efforts through cleaning lots, weed removal, street cleaning, litter removal, flower planting, and special community projects.

The program is intended to provide constructive activities for young people in West Philadelphia and to act as an antidote to some of the problems plaguing the community. “The idea for the program came from the observation that as juvenile delinquency jumped off the charts, most of the available remedies involved increased public safety enforcement. This program is an attempt at providing alternative solutions to the problem,” added Lewis Wendell, UCD’s Executive Director.

In addition to creating gainful employment opportunities, the summer job program will give young adults a sense of pride in their neighborhood while improving the overall quality of life for all who work, live and recreate in University City. The UCD Summer Jobs Program will be an eight week program from July 5th to August 25th, 2006 and will pay $6.00 per hour for a 25 hour, 5 day week. In order to be eligible for the program applicants must be juniors or seniors in high school, a resident of University City or West Philadelphia, eligible to work in the U.S., in good academic standing and from a household that meets income guidelines. There will also be a mentorship and educational component to the program including the preparation of an employer-approved work-readiness portfolio.

Applications for UCD Summer employment are available at the offices of the University City District, 3942 Chestnut Street. Applications are due by June 8, 2006. Please refer any questions about the program to the Workready Hotline at 267.502.3742 or UCD at 215.243.0555.

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University City District builds effective partnerships to maintain a clean and safe environment and to promote, plan and advocate for University City’s diverse, urban community. University City is the region’s leading community for technology, research, higher education and health care integrated with historic and desirable residential neighborhoods, vibrant commercial and cultural attractions, and strong transportation connections. Visit www.ucityphila.org for more information.

Release Date: Wednesday, May 24th 2006