From the Desk of the CEO: 2026 Summer Employment Kick Off
More Opportunities, Bigger Impact
This summer, Y.O.U. is doing something we haven't done in over a decade and I couldn't be more proud of it.
In 2026, we will be placing more young people in summer work experiences than any year since 2015. But it's not just the numbers that excite me. It's the quality of what we're offering.
Yes, we still have the traditional summer jobs, the recreation centers, the swimming pools, the community staples that have served Cleveland youth for generations. But this year, we have over 600 youth enrolled in Career Academies, and that's where things get really exciting.
Career Academies aren't your typical summer jobs. Participants take a deep dive into a specific industry through hands-on learning and direct engagement with professionals who work in the field. Our academies span IT, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Media/Communications, and Construction, with partners ranging from Cleveland State University to NewBridge.
And then there's our Young Money Mentors, a group of four high school students whose entire summer job is teaching their peers about financial literacy. Budgeting, investing, understanding taxes — they’re not just learning it, they're leading it. That's the kind of program that changes how a young person sees themselves.
Why Summer Jobs Matter
Some of the most important benefits of summer employment are the hardest to put a number on: real-world experience, critical thinking, professional confidence, and skills young people will carry for the rest of their lives.
But there are measurable outcomes too, and the data is clear. Youth who participate in summer employment programs are more likely to graduate high school and less likely to become involved in the justice system. Many also earn credentials and badges that count toward high school graduation requirements.
The ripple effects go well beyond the individual youth. Summer jobs provide critical financial support to families. They strengthen communities through neighborhood beautification, improved safety, youth camps, and senior support services. And worksites and employer partners see real value as well through mission delivery and the achievement of their own organizational goals.
That's why I say summer jobs and internships are a win-win-win-win for Cuyahoga County.
We are proud to be community stewards for this ecosystem and we can't wait to show you what this summer brings.
Craig Dorn, President & CEO — Youth Opportunities Unlimited