LEAP summer youth work program kicking off its second year

Now entering its second year, Milwaukee’s LEAP internship program will enable even more Milwaukee young people to gain critical job skills and work experience while also allowing for regular communication and interaction with Milwaukee police personnel.

LEAP (Learn, Earn and Achieve with Police) identifies promising young leaders and prepares them for future workforce and civic success. The program kicks off with a gathering at 12:00 p.m. TODAY at Manpower headquarters, 100 Manpower Pl. Media coverage is invited.

In LEAP, the Milwaukee Police Department, LISC Milwaukee and the City of Milwaukee’s Earn and Learn program are collaborating to strengthen communication between Milwaukee teens and police, preparing teens for future career success and introducing Milwaukee companies to a diverse group of Milwaukee’s future workforce. The program launched last summer with an inaugural class of 17, but additional funding approved by the Common Council will allow the city to expand the number of participants this year.

“The more young people we have learning job readiness and job skills, the more young people will be successful upon entering the workforce and pursuing a career or a good job,” Alderman Wade said.

Alderman Wade said the LEAP program provides paid work with area businesses that can help build work readiness skills and valuable experience opportunities for Milwaukee teens who are enrolled in the STOP (Students Talking it Over with Police) program. Students will work at area businesses to learn first-hand how to apply the skills they’ve learned in school and through STOP to the workplace.

Internships

Through LEAP, participating companies employ young leaders, ages 17-21, 20 hours per week for eight weeks, June 24 through August 16, Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, interns participate in the Milwaukee Police Department STOP Program. Companies contribute a flat rate of $2,250 for participation and interns are paid between $7.25 and $9.00 per hour.

Participating employers include Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Educators Credit Union, Harley-Davidson, KBS Construction, LISC, Marquette University, Northwestern Mutual, Running Rebels, US Bank, Jonco Industries and MillerCoors.

The MPD’s STOP Program is designed to improve communication and build trust between police and teens. STOP was developed to educate young people on the nature of police work and explain the reasons that law-abiding citizens might find themselves interacting with police officers. Students who participate in STOP receive a photo ID, a T-shirt and a certificate of completion.

LISC’s mission is to help transform distressed urban neighborhoods into healthy communities of choice and opportunity—great places to work, do business, and raise children.

LISC will work with Manpower Group to provide payroll services and supervision for participating teens. An adult team leader will maintain regular contact with the youth and employers at all worksites.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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