Every year from June to August, hundreds of thousands of youth – between the ages of 14 and 24 – participate in summer jobs programs across the United States. These programs, also known as summer youth employment programs or SYEPs, have been receiving greater attention over the past few years as an important policy tool to improve youth outcomes. 

In this special episode of J-PAL Voices, we will discuss research showing that summer youth employment programs can improve the lives of young people in outcome areas as diverse as employment, criminal legal system involvement, education, and youth development. We will also revisit program participants and implementers from the first season of J-PAL Voices to put the evidence in context of the day-to-day of SYEPs. Finally, we will discuss where we can go next.

We would love to hear your comments and feedback at podcasts@povertyactionlab.org. J-PAL Voices is brought to you by J-PAL North America (https://www.povertyactionlab.org/na). Stay in touch via Twitter (https://twitter.com/JPAL_NA), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/j-pal-north-america), and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JPAL.NorthAmerica/).

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Links: 

The Promises of Summer Youth Employment Program: Lessons from Randomized Evaluations, a J-PAL Evidence Review synthesizing thirteen randomized evaluations across four major U.S. cities’ SYEPs. 

Mayor Adams Announces Record 100,000 Summer Youth Employment Opportunities, press conference on February 15, 2022

Biden outlines his administration's actions to curb violent crime and gun violence — 6/23/21, White House press conference, CNBC (Youtube)

YOU Boston Youth Recognition Celebration, Boston City TV (Youtube)