As SYEP Wraps Up, We Look Ahead with Resolve

Today marks the close of another Summer Youth Employment Program season, a program that, for more than 60 years, has connected young New Yorkers with their first jobs and meaningful career pathways.

A few weeks ago, news broke of widespread fraud targeting SYEP payment cards. In our initial statement, and in recent media interviews, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris underscored that this situation does not reflect a flaw in SYEP’s programmatic design or in the dedication of the professionals who bring it to life each summer. Instead, it was the result of intentional exploitation by bad actors who capitalized on gaps in existing financial protections.

Our message remains firm: SYEP deserves sustained investment, coupled with a thorough investigation into what happened, clear public reporting, and meaningful consequences for those involved. Moving forward, that also means reinforcing financial safeguards and expanding accessible, relevant financial education for the young people the program serves.

Looking Forward

Despite this setback, the success and impact of SYEP remain undeniable. We are confident that next year, and for many years to come, the program will continue to deliver on its promise of connecting young adults to good jobs and bright futures.

In the News

NY1 Segment – “I’m hoping that a really bad circumstance doesn’t impact this program in the long term because young adults need access to good jobs and good opportunities — SYEP has done that for 60 years.”

The CITY – Summer Jobs Program Heist Likely Had Hacker Help, Say ATM Experts “The providers that I know were excited about the summer. They were accomplishing interesting, valuable, meaningful things, putting young people to work on their first job pathways, and this was surprising, concerning, frustrating.”

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