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Advocates and young people urge restoring and expanding Connecticut youth employment funding
Summary
Dozens of young people, nonprofit leaders and workforce officials told the Appropriations subcommittee that proposed cuts to the Connecticut Youth Employment Program would remove job, training and enrichment opportunities for thousands of young people.
Dozens of young people, nonprofit leaders and workforce officials told the Appropriations Subcommittee on Conservation and Development during a public hearing that proposed cuts to Connecticut's youth employment funding would leave thousands without summer jobs, internships and career‑readiness supports.
Speakers said the governor's budget reduces funding for the Connecticut Youth Employment Program (CYEP/SYELP) from prior levels and urged lawmakers to restore at least $10 million and consider up to $25 million to eliminate long wait lists. Donna Shadipo, chief program officer for YWCA Hartford Region, told the panel the group supports “restoring support within the bill” and urged lawmakers to consider increasing the allocation so programs can operate at current service levels. “We have a waiting list every year,” she said, urging restoration to $10,000,000 and continued advocacy for larger investments.
Why it matters: Program leaders and participants said work placements and training provide income, job skills and mentoring that help students and young adults stay engaged, prepare for careers, and sometimes pay for essential needs. Testimony documented high demand: speakers said certain local programs had hundreds who applied for a few hundred slots — Hartford was cited as having about 800 slots but more than 2,000 applicants last year — leaving many youth without placements.
What advocates told lawmakers - New Haven Works, workforce boards and community nonprofits described CYEP as a pipeline into jobs and training. New England Workforce and board and regional providers noted the program's role connecting youth to local employers and technical training. - Students and recent participants described first‑time work experience, resume building and certifications. Jaylene Matos Acevedo, a senior who testified as a program participant, said: “I was taught the correct way to apply for a job, and in addition to learning this, I also received my CPR license.” - Local nonprofit leaders and municipal staff said the program produces tangible outcomes for employers and communities — youth hired after internships, higher retention in school, and reduced risk of negative summer outcomes.
Numbers and requests cited at the hearing - Advocates asked the committee to restore funding to $10,000,000 for 2025 and urged consideration of a $25,000,000 investment to eliminate waiting lists and expand access statewide. Several workforce board officials said the commission report recommending universal access to youth employment would require funding at that level.
Discussion, limits, and next steps - Speakers repeatedly asked the subcommittee to restore or expand CYEP funding rather than accept reductions. Workforce officials said local boards and host employers remain ready to place youth if funding is available. - Lawmakers did not take votes at the hearing; advocates asked members to reflect the testimony in final budget negotiations.
Ending: Students, workforce coordinators and nonprofit directors concluded their testimony by asking lawmakers to treat youth employment as an investment in the state's future workforce and economic stability, not a short‑term expense.
