On Jan. 28, 2025, Shanarika Shackleford, executive director of Partners For Youth, and Community Engagement Coordinator Shante (Chaunte) Bruce briefed the Social Services and Public Safety Committee on the organization’s programs, summer job placements and plans for expansion.

Shanarika Shackleford described Partners For Youth’s core work: the grassroots grants program, the Toyota scholarship program and the Summer Youth Job Training Program (SYJTP). She said the Toyota scholarship effort has awarded about $280,000 to college‑bound youth since 1998. The organization also runs neighborhood engagement work — including community partner tables, an Adopt‑a‑Park program and a “Festival of Neighbors” — and a neighborhood youth council.

Chaunte Bruce explained SYJTP recruitment and operations. The program serves rising sophomores through rising seniors, pays youth $15 an hour for up to 20 hours weekly, and emphasizes workplace skills such as punctuality, teamwork and professionalism. Staff recruit beginning in October through school visits, social media and partner outreach; placements are made based on student interest and employer availability. Bruce said the program places roughly 300 students into worksites and then maintains a waiting list; in the most recent cycle staff reported about 10 students on the wait list who can be filled if openings develop.

Staff reported 2024 statistics showing 109 organizations and 175 worksites participated as employers and placement locations. Skill sessions include financial literacy (taught by Chase Bank), workforce etiquette, resume building and interviewing skills; the program coordinates payroll and onboarding paperwork with LFUCG payroll and conducts site visits with risk management and social‑services staff.

Shackleford said future goals include a citywide 30th‑anniversary celebration, expanded festival events across neighborhoods, more high‑school cooperative placements and stronger employer recruitment in medical, financial and government sectors. She described recent staffing improvements: two positions (community engagement coordinator and youth program coordinator) were reclassified under LFUCG to create more stable salary bases; two clerical positions remain staffed by Partners For Youth directly.

Council members praised the program and asked about recruiting employers (staff conduct door‑to‑door visits, calls and outreach) and about expanding scholarship fundraising (the group participates in the Good Giving Challenge and is pursuing other private funding). No formal committee votes were taken on the Partners For Youth presentation.