Youth Employment Program (YEP)

Empowering Youth Through Work Experience and Opportunity

Providing meaningful summer employment opportunities, the Youth Employment Program (YEP) helps Liberty City youth build job skills, gain valuable work experience, and prepare for future careers.Through real-world work placements, the program promotes responsibility, career awareness, and personal development while introducing young people to professional environments.

About the Youth Employment Program

The Liberty City Trust Youth Employment Program (YEP) provides summer employment opportunities for youth between the
ages of 14 and 19 who are currently enrolled in high school and reside in City of Miami District 5.The eight-week summer program offers students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while school is out of session.
Participants are placed with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and City of Miami parks where they can develop professional skills
and learn the importance of responsibility, teamwork, and workplace expectations. Through hands-on work experiences and guided learning opportunities,
the program helps prepare young people for future employment and long-term career success.

Program Focus Areas

Work Experience

Participants gain practical work experience by serving in real workplace environments with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and City of Miami parks.

Job Readiness Training

Youth receive training that helps them develop essential workplace skills including professionalism, communication, time management, and workplace etiquette.

Life Skills Development

The program supports personal growth by helping youth
build confidence, responsibility, decision-making skills, and
leadership abilities.

Career Exploration

Participants are introduced to
different career paths and industries, helping them begin thinking about future educational and
career opportunities.

How Y.E.P. Works

The Youth Employment Program operates during the summer months when school is not in session and runs for approximately eight weeks.

During the program:

  • Youth are placed at approved work sites across the City of Miami

  • Participants gain hands-on work experience in structured environments

  • Youth receive job readiness and life skills training

  • Participants are paid bi-weekly for their work

Work placements may include:

  • Local businesses

  • Nonprofit organizations

  • City of Miami parks and community facilities

  • Community-based organizations and neighborhood programs

Community Impact

The Youth Employment Program plays an important role in strengthening Liberty City by helping young people develop skills that support long-term success.

By providing early employment opportunities, the program helps youth:

  • build confidence and independence

  • gain professional experience

  • develop workplace discipline

  • learn the value of teamwork and responsibility

These experiences not only benefit the individual participants but also contribute to stronger neighborhoods and a more prepared future workforce.

Y.E.P. Highlights

Through the Youth Employment Program, young people gain opportunities that support both personal and professional growth.

Program highlights include:

  • Paid summer employment opportunities

  • Hands-on work experience in community-based settings

  • Job readiness and life skills training

  • Exposure to potential career pathways

  • Mentorship and guidance from supervisors and community partners

These experiences not only benefit the individual participants but also contribute to stronger neighborhoods and a more prepared future workforce.

Charles Hadley Park

MDC Carrie P. Meek

Gibson Park

End of Summer Celebration

Program Goals & Strategic Vision

The Youth Employment Program aims to expand opportunities for youth across Liberty City by connecting young people
with meaningful work experiences that support their future. The program seeks to continue building partnerships with local businesses,
nonprofit organizations, and community institutions to increase the number of available placements and create more pathways for youth development.By investing in young people today, the Youth Employment Program helps strengthen the future of Liberty City.

Get Involved

The Liberty City Trust Youth Employment Program depends on strong partnerships with businesses, nonprofit organizations,
and community institutions that are committed to supporting the next generation.

Organizations interested in serving as youth work sites or supporting the program are encouraged to connect with Liberty City Trust to learn more about participation opportunities.