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Oakland, CA — On Tuesday, the Oakland City Council approved a major investment in young people, advancing Mayor Barbara Lee’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP) and Oakland Fund for Children and Youth (OFCY) summer programs through the adoption of 21 grants totaling more than $3.1 million for 2026 and 2027.
With Council’s approval, more than 2,000 Oakland youth will spend this summer earning income, building skills, and getting real exposure to future career paths through paid jobs and enrichment programs.
This investment is delivered through a coordinated partnership between the Oakland Fund for Children and Youth (OFCY), the Oakland Workforce Development Board (OWDB), and the Oakland Children’s Initiative (OCI), aligning funding, workforce development, and program delivery to expand access and impact.
“Expanding access to opportunity for our young people—especially those who have been historically underserved—has been a top priority,” saidMayor Barbara Lee. “Our Summer Youth Employment Program is not just a workforce development initiative; it is also a public safety strategy. By connecting young people to meaningful work, mentorship, and opportunity, we are helping reduce violence and investing in the future of our city.”
Investing in Opportunity and Public Safety
The Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program alone will connect more than 500 youth to 100 hours of paid work experience, helping participants build critical skills, earn income, and explore future academic and career pathways.
In addition, OFCY-funded summer programs will provide academic enrichment, leadership development, and career exposure for more than 1,600 youth across Oakland.
“Investing in our youth is critical to securing their futures as well as the future of the City,” saidCouncilmember Carroll Fife, Life Enrichment Committee Chairperson. “When young people are given employment opportunities, they are better equipped to meet challenges and thrive. Excited to see how these investments will change lives for the better.”
Together, this investment includes:
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9 grants supporting the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program, totaling $1.48 million
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12 additional grants across four OFCY strategies—career access, expanded learning, youth development, and leadership—totaling $1.71 million
Research from previous cycles shows that summer youth employment programs consistently exceed expectations, serving more youth than projected and providing meaningful income and work experience.
“This is a coordinated, citywide investment in Oakland’s young people,”said Deputy City Administrator, Sofia Navarro. “By aligning funding, workforce development, and community-based programs, we are expanding access to paid work, academic support, and leadership opportunities—ensuring more than 2,000 youth have pathways to success this summer and beyond.”
Expanding Access to Opportunity
This investment is intentionally focused on expanding access for youth in communities with the greatest need, including East Oakland, West Oakland, and the Fruitvale.
Programs funded through this initiative will support:
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Workforce development and first-time job experiences
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Academic enrichment and school engagement
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Leadership development and mentorship
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Violence prevention and community safety
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Financial stability and career exposure
Summer youth employment programs are more than seasonal job opportunities. Research shows these investments can reduce violence involvement, strengthen school engagement, build workforce and leadership skills, and expand long-term economic opportunity. By connecting young people to meaningful work experience, mentorship, and career exposure, Oakland is helping youth build confidence, purpose, and a stronger foundation for the future. Through this coordinated effort, the City and its partners are investing in opportunities that support long-term growth, stability, and success for Oakland youth.
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