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L.A. to offer twice as many jobs to young people this summer

March 26, 2014

The Walt Disney Co. and Citibank each donate $1 M to Hire L.A.’s Youth program

(CNS) – The city will offer twice as many jobs to young people this summer, with a total of 10,000 openings, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced today.

The Walt Disney Co. and Citibank each donated $1 million to fund the Hire L.A.’s Youth program, which makes jobs available to people aged 14-24, Garcetti said.

“I can’t think of a better partner for our youth than Disney,” the mayor said.  ”I also want to thank Citibank and the Citi Foundation for their generous commitment and thank our other incredible partners.”

Garcetti made the announcement at the Yo! Watts-College Center, where he was joined by White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, county Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas, City Council President Herb Wesson, Councilman Joe Buscaino and Disney and Citibank executives.

Garcetti said the expansion fulfills a goal he set when he first assumed office.

“Too often, young people can fall behind during the summer when school is out,” he said.  ”But our summer jobs program makes sure summer is a time for young people to get ahead by earning a paycheck, job skills and financial education.”

Teen employment dropped 15 percent drop between 2000 and 2012, according to a report released last week by the Brookings Institute.

“That is unacceptable and we are going to change that,” Garcetti said.