12,000 DC Summer Jobs! Applications will be available today at 3:15pm!

Applications for Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s One City Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) will be available today at 3:15pm (http://www.summerjobs.dc.gov)! The SYEP is a locally-funded program administered by the DOES Office of Youth Programs that provides summer jobs and work readiness training to District youth ages 14-21. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and all applications must be received by Friday, March 11 in order to be considered. Space is very limited this year (only 12,000 youth will be selected) so those who are interested in a summer job are encouraged to apply early and comply with all posted deadlines.

Youth may complete their application from any computer with an Internet connection. If you need assistance with your application or a place to access the Internet, you can attend Midnight Madness – an official SYEP application kick-off event. Midnight Madness will take place on Friday, February 25 from 3:15pm until 12:00 midnight at the new DOES building (4058 Minnesota Avenue NE, adjacent to the Minnesota Avenue Metro station). DOES staff will be on hand all night to assist youth and their families, and to answer any questions.

This summer:

• SYEP will be smaller and tailored more to the individual needs of youth.
• Youth will be required to “apply” for the program, not simply register. 
• Employers will have multiple opportunities to interview and screen youth.
• Youth participants will receive multiple formats of orientation to better prepare them for work.
• There will be greater transparency around program requirements, dates, and deadlines.

 The 2011 SYEP will begin on Monday, June 27, 2011 and will end by Friday, August 5, 2011. 

For additional information about the 2011 “One City Summer Youth Employment Program,” residents can visit http://www.summerjobs.dc.gov, or call DOES at (202) 698-3492.

Winner of RealTalkDC's ad campaign gets an iPad! Submissions due February 25!

Metro TeenAIDS' RealTalkDC campaign is searching for an amazing artist to design a brand new campaign design to display on their website, posters and Metrobus/rail ads. Will YOU be their next amazing artist?

The winning design will be displayed prominently throughout the city for at least 3 months with over 2 million media impressions! The winning artist also gets an iPad! To participate, you must be between the ages of 13 – 25 and live in the DC metropolitan area.

Feel free to be as creative as possible as RealTalkDC wants to breathe new life into HIV and STI prevention in DC. This is your chance to inspire a new revolution!

Guidelines/Judging Criteria: The poster design MUST include the following elements:

•  Promote the access of free HIV and STI testing services in DC.
• Promote the access of free condoms in DC.
•  Promote that the above information can be accessed by texting ‘RealTalk’ to 61827.
  *Designs that do not contain these main elements will NOT be considered. 
• Send submission to designcontest@metroteenaids.org 
• Only one submission per artist. 
• Please include your full name, address, phone number and valid e-mail address you’re your submission. 
• The design will be used on multiple media of multiple sizes; therefore, you must be creative about the design being transferable across media platforms. Last year, the design was used for the following media:
•  Bus King – 30”H x 144”W
•  Bus Queen – 11”H x 42”W
•  Dioramas – 43”H x 62”W
•  Poster – 12 x 18
• Palm Card – 4 x 6
•  Your design will be applied by graphic design and web development professionals who will make your design fit within MTA’s specifications; therefore, while your design must be submitted as a PDF or JPEG file, you must be able to provide a PSD file that has the high resolution layer components available for our professionals to use. In other words, Metro TeenAIDS has the right to alter the final poster design.
•  All submissions become property of Metro TeenAIDS and may be used for commercial purposes. No files will be returned.
•  Only original artwork will be accepted.
•  DO NOT submit designs that mimic existing ad campaigns (e.g. Mastercard “priceless” commercial) or use images of celebrities, models or others who have not granted you permission to use their image.
•  Designs should look fresh and innovative and not look like past campaigns. Knock this one out of the park with your creativity!
•  BE CREATIVE! The winning design will be chosen based on attractiveness, its ability to connect to the target audience, and dynamic messaging.
  
  The deadline to submit your ad is Friday, February 25! Please visit http://www.realtalkdc.org/design-contest-win-an-ipad/ for more details!

National Summer Academy - 8th-11th Grade Males are Encouraged to Apply!

The Distinguished Young Gentleman of America, Inc. will be hosting a National Summer Academy on the campus of Florida A&M University from Sunday, June 12, 2011-Saturday, June 25, 2011.

The Academy is a competitive, two week accelerated program for talented African-American male 8^th – 11^th students.

The Summer Academy Accelerated Curriculum will:

• Develop and implement strategies to provide effective leadership on critical issues facing our local communities.
• Create a hub and networking outlet for talented Black Male Students.
• Function as an accelerated training ground that develops and prepares the next generation of local, state, and national leaders.
• Teach relevant tangible life skills. (Oratorical, Culinary, Mechanical, Technical, and Etiquette Skills).
• Develop and cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit.
• Enhance social, professional development, and life skills.
• Teach financial literacy and wealth building strategies.
• Expose participants to high quality cultural, academic, and community oriented activities.
• Empower students through the teaching of Advanced African Studies, Communal Values, and Foreign Affairs.

The deadline to apply for the Summer Academy is

March 26, 2011!  

Please contact Mr. Cotton for an application.

Prospective Distinguished Young Gentleman must:

•  Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
• Submit an official high school transcript.
• Have three letters of recommendation.