By Thomas Montana
Long Island will be receiving $8,092,119 for its local Youth Employment Program, according to the governor’s office. The program, which launched in 2024, helps reduce community gun violence and youth criminal justice involvement. It provides year-round employment and training opportunities to at-risk youths in parts of the state, outside of New York City, that are most impacted by gun violence.
The Youth Employment Program played a big role in New York State’s Gun Involvement Violence Elimination (GIVE) Initiative, which operates in 21 counties. According to the Governor’s Office, the money will be used for investments in work and training opportunities for young people in regions that receive support from the GIVE initiative. The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance will distribute the money, and the state will provide the cash, in the amount of $40.6 million. It is expected to provide paid work and training opportunities for at least 2,500 low-income youth across these areas from September 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
“Public safety and investing in our young people’s future are top priorities of my administration, and I’ll never stop fighting to make our communities safer and protect our most vulnerable,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “The Youth Employment Program is a key part of our comprehensive approach to drive down gun violence in communities across New York State, while providing at-risk youth with the year-round job and training opportunities they need and deserve to thrive in the workforce and build successful futures.”
To be eligible for the program, applicants must be between the ages of 14 and 20 and have a household income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which varies by household size.
“Employment opportunities are necessary for youth during the transition into adulthood,” said New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden. “By introducing youth into the workplace, we are also providing them with the soft skills that 90% or more of employers report they need. New York State’s commitment to preparing teens and young adults for the workforce will yield great returns – charting a path toward future generations’ eventual economic self-sufficiency.”
“The Youth Employment Program creates year-round paid employment opportunities for vulnerable young people living in communities across our state most directly impacted by gun violence,” said New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn. “By providing regular income and valuable work experiences, training, and support, the program can help protect at-risk youth from the destructive cycle of gun and other community violence, while giving them the skills and confidence they need to be successful as they continue their education and prepare to enter the workforce.”