Atlantic City’s Summer Youth Program Prepares the Next Generation for Success

In Atlantic City, summer isn’t just a time for beaches and boardwalks, it’s also a season of opportunity. Through the Summer Youth Employment Program, the City of Atlantic City is giving local teens and young adults more than just a summer job. It’s offering them a launchpad into the future.

Spearheaded by the City of Atlantic City’s Youth Services Division, this initiative pairs local youth with hands-on job placements across the city, from government offices and community-based organizations. Participants are matched with opportunities that reflect their interests and career goals, building real-world skills in communication, leadership, and time management.

A City That Believes in Its Youth

Now in its latest year, the Summer Youth Employment Program has grown into a cornerstone of the city’s youth development strategy. It’s part of Mayor Small’s broader commitment to creating pathways to success for Atlantic City’s next generation, especially those who may not otherwise have access to these types of opportunities.

In recent years, the program has supported hundreds of local youth with paid job experience, professional development workshops, financial literacy training, and mentorship — all while instilling a sense of civic pride and community engagement.

Real Jobs. Real Impact.

What sets Atlantic City’s program apart is its emphasis on meaningful work. Participants are not observers — they are contributors. They help coordinate events, support local youth and seniors, assist in marketing campaigns, and even contribute to civic storytelling through platforms like GreatDayAtlanticCity.com.

These roles are more than resume-builders. They’re confidence-builders.

Why #LiveinAC?

The Summer Youth Employment Program is just one example of why Atlantic City is more than a summer destination, it’s a community where young people can see a future for themselves.

From the Mayor’s $3M scholarship initiative and the Small Business Academy, to free summer events, beach concerts, and family programming across all neighborhoods, Atlantic City is evolving into a place where opportunity lives year-round.

A City in Motion

Beyond the youth program, Atlantic City is investing in walkable neighborhoods, public art, affordable housing, and small business support. These efforts are reshaping the city’s reputation by showing the world what locals already know: Atlantic City is a place to live, work, and thrive.

This summer, as tourists soak in the sun, local teens will be busy making connections, gaining skills, and discovering their own power to shape the city they call home.

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