Mayor Connects Milwaukee's Young People to Martha's Vineyard

Mayor Barrett Connects Milwaukee's Young People to Martha's Vineyard

 Milwaukee's Summer Job Initiative places more than 340 young Milwaukeeans

Milwaukee—Mayor Tom Barrett announced today that four college bound, young men from Milwaukee have summer jobs in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

"Summer is the perfect time to get Milwaukee kids into the workforce. Combining work with traveling and living away from home is a wonderful opportunity for these young men. I am very proud of them," stated Mayor Barrett.

Earlier this year, Mayor Barrett met with John Mroz and John Roberts, both members of think tank, the East West Institute.  During the conversation, Mayor Barrett talked about the unemployment situation in Milwaukee.  At the end of the meeting, John Roberts mentioned that his son has a business in Cape Cod and is in need of summer help.  "I saw this as a marriage made in heaven.  They have jobs and we have fine young people who want to work.  We collaborated to make it happen," said Mayor Barrett.

The four young African American men will live and work in Martha's Vineyard for ten weeks.  Derrell Satterfield grew up as the only child in a single parent household.  Despite challenges, Derrell graduated from Bradley Tech High School with a 4.0 GPA in his senior year.  The 18 year old will attend college in the fall at Tucson, Arizona, where he plans to study Graphic Arts.

18 year Dominick Jacobs graduated from Rufus King High School where he was the captain of the soccer team.  Dominick will attend Howard University in the fall.
 
Tyrone Dorty, II graduated from Dominican High School.  The 18 year old will attend St. Louis University in the fall.

18 year old Jeremy Rankin is the oldest of four and will act as team leader of the group.  "I'm excited about this great opportunity and can't wait to get to Martha's Vineyard," said Rankin.  The men will work for a wholesale food business.  The bulk of their work will be filling orders for restaurants, grocery stores and private parties. 

Mayor Barrett's Summer Jobs Initiative is a major component for his Safe Summer Program. To date, the Mayor's Office has placed 80 young adults in summer jobs at various Wisconsin Dells businesses and 47 young people in the Milwaukee private sector.  These 47 young Milwaukeeans will work in major law and engineering firms and for Time Warner Cable, Aurora Health Care and Roundy's. No public wage subsidies were offered to any of the private sector employers.

In addition, the Mayor thanked the Milwaukee Common Council for funding 211 summer youth internships. The young interns will work in various City Departments.  "The Council has been a great partner in the summer jobs effort.  I thank the members for their leadership", Barrett said.

Mayor Barrett stated, "I would like to see more businesses step up to the plate and hire more of our young people. We have thousands of willing and able young workers who want the experience and the benefits a summer job can bring. I stand willing to work with any company who needs summer workers."

Mayor Barrett made a point of thanking the companies who have hired Milwaukee young people and recognized Midwest Airlines, the Downtown Rotary and Greater Milwaukee Committee for their special efforts.

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