Hire Houston Youth, a program that helped students find summer jobs, has been scaled back after being under new administration

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A program that has helped thousands of young people find jobs in Houston appears to be different under a new administration.

Hire Houston Youth helps young people find work

Luis Moreno knows how important the summer months are for students.

“That was the summer when I learned the most,” Moreno recalls. “Nothing beats on-the-job training.”

He had that experience eight years ago when he discovered Hire Houston Youth, a program that took him from the University of Houston to city hall.

“It’s a stepping stone, especially for marginalized communities who don’t have that social capital,” Moreno explained.

The program began helping a few hundred students and working with around 50 employers.

Last year, more than 20,000 people found work and more than 600 employers participated.

Program is scaled back under new mayor

About a decade ago, former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner created the program. He attended the launch events and encouraged employers to participate.

Thanks to this, places like Workforce Solutions held job fairs where thousands of young people found jobs. This year, job fairs were held outside the agency.

“The ones that happened last year didn’t happen this year,” said Juliet Stipeche, chief executive officer of Workforce Solutions.

Turner left and the new mayor, John Whitmire, arrived. This year, Eyewitness News learned it was an HR event focused on filling 500 city internships.

ABC13 asked Whitmire’s office why there was a change, but was told no one was available.

Other public-private jobs are listed on the program’s website, but experts say it’s not a job fair.

“If it’s a person’s first job, it’s hard to read those postings and understand what that means,” Stipeche said.

Proposed city budget would eliminate more than 100 internships

The changes could not be limited to this year. Whitmire’s proposed budget reduces the summer internship program from 500 to 375 interns.

Council member Tiffany Thomas couldn’t believe it.

“I think every mayor wants to come in with a new administration and a new vision, but one thing that is consistent among all mayors is that public safety is the number one priority of this city and its residents,” said Thomas.

Thomas said the program helps reduce crime by giving young people jobs.

“We are missing an opportunity,” Thomas said. “We are in a pivotal location in our city. We know school is closed. HISD, Alief and surrounding districts, and we are going to create the possibility of higher crime incidents.”

Are there still opportunities for young people to find work?

The city is no longer accepting applications for its internships. You can still apply for other jobs through the Hire Houston Youth website.

If you prefer an in-person experience, where you can learn about opportunities and get help with your resume, Workforce Solutions received an $8 million grant for paid internships for anyone ages 16-24.

“We can place you with an employer where you can learn on-the-job skills and soft skills while earning money,” explained Latoya Casimere, Workforce Solutions youth services manager.

To learn more about the program, you can visit any of the Workforce Solutions locations or call the ABC13 hotline powered by Workforce Solutions at 713-243-6663.

For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, X and Instagram.