Miracle in Brightmoor Small, Detroit-based Non-Profit Organization Makes Summer Employment Possible for 172 Youth & Young Adults

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“We have a crisis of conscience when we see the number of young people without hope. Unemployment, a breakdown in family and support systems and other factors have led to the crime and unemployment we see in our city and region today. ~ Jerome Warfield

Detroit, MI (PRWEB) June 29, 2012

Unemployment among youth and young adults is estimated to be as high as 18% in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In etroit, often coined “ground zero” for unemployment, “estimates have been as high as 50%,” said Detroit Police Commissioner Pastor Jerome Warfield. Warfield put his clout as a pastor and community leader to good use when he launched Trinity Community Development Center’s Summer Youth Employment Program six years ago in Brightmoor. “While unemployment has increased in our region over the past six years, we were able to find summer employment for more young people year after year,” he said. Since its inception, Trinity’s Summer Youth Employment Program has grown by 94%, from training and placing 10 young people in 2006 to 172 young people at more than 35 public, private and non-profit organizations today.

Employers include such diverse organizations as: Detroit Police Department Office of the Chief Investigator, the 36th District and Third Circuit Courts, ten different private law firms, non-profit organizations such as Forgotten Harvest and Brightmoor Community Center and several small businesses. Warfield attributes a crisis of conscience as being the motivator that has propelled the growth of Trinity’s employment program. “We have a crisis of conscience when we see the number of young people without hope. Unemployment, a breakdown in family and support systems and other factors have led to the crime and unemployment we see in our city and region today. If a small non-profit organization like Trinity can train 300 youth and young adults and actually place more than half of them, think of what others could do if they followed suit in their communities and neighborhoods,” said Warfield.

Every young person who leaves the Trinity program is armed with a resume, interviewing skills and enhanced self-confidence to move forward in a positive manner. Employers past and present testify about the significant impact the program brings to the lives of its participants. Judge Kevin F. Robbins of Detroit’s 36th District Court has employed Trinity Youth, and sees first-hand what it means to their life. "The Summer Youth Employment Program provides an excellent opportunity for our youth to gain valuable work experience in the legal field and court related services. My student, Jasmine Loney, is intelligent and highly motivated to assist me and my staff. She came prepared.” One of Robbins’ colleagues at the Third Circuit Court, Judge Marjorie Braxton, agrees. "My student, Geneva Prophet, is a very sweet and intelligent young lady who assisted in making the court room run more smoothly. We need more programs for young people before they are standing before a judge or jury. The Summer Youth Employment Program equips them with meaningful employment so they can have a good quality of life." While attorney Delphia Burton added, “My student, Breana King is a tremendous asset to my office. Her duties included typing, filing, answering telephones and accompanying me to court. This platform gives young people an opportunity to work with lawyers instead of being represented by them."

Among the employers in the 2012 program are The Honorable Margie R. Braxton, Deborah Thomas, Patricia P. Fresard, and Kevin F. Robbins of Wayne County’s Third Circuit Court; The Honorable Kenneth King, Chief Judge of Detroit’s 36th District Court; Ms. Dalph Watson – Personnel Director of Detroit Police Department; Susan E. Goodell, President & CEO of Forgotten Harvest; John Cash of John Cash State Farm Insurance; Attorneys Larry Polk, Delphia J. Burton, Don Johnson and several small businesses.

The Trinity Summer Youth Employment Program is made possible by a generous gift from Benefactor Mrs. Marjorie Fisher. One hundred and seventy two (172) youth and young adults age 14 – 24 from Detroit’s Brightmoor Neighborhood will earn $7.50 per hour and gain invaluable skills, relationships and experiences over six weeks. Trinity Community Development Center is located at Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, 15125 Burt Road, Detroit 48223. Visit http://www.trinitysyep.org and telephone 313.538.1355.

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