5,000 Summer Jobs Announced For Baltimore Teens

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- In light of the recent unrest, summer jobs for young people take on a special importance.

Now as Mike Schuh reports, federal, state and local leaders announced 5,000 summer jobs.

They may be asked to move a mountain of paper and cardboard or pull endless weeds, but that first job leads to the next one.

"I'm a hard worker and I can tackle any job you give me," Brendan Williams said.

This time last year, Williams' job came through the city's summer jobs program.

But considering what's happened in Baltimore recently, such job opportunities are even more important.

On Wednesday, the mayor, Senator Barbara Mikulski and the U.S. labor secretary announced this year's plan.

"Right now, we have about 6,000 job placements," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "And we're still looking for businesses willing to open their hearts and their doors to Baltimore's young people."

That number could swell to 8,000 if enough businesses needing young workers step up.

"We're also looking for the type of summer jobs that do human development, focused on economic development that leads to  community development," Sen. Mikulski said.

Do these summer jobs programs make a difference?

"I think he's got the drive to make it," Alan Fink, Brandon's employer last year, said.

Fink says Brandon, now 20, is in college and has a part-time job.

Senator Mikulski also announced that the White House has chosen a special ambassador to coordinate the many post-riot federal efforts directed at Baltimore City.